Auckland Today Magazine 114

Issue 114 | September 2015

THE EDGE OF

INNOVATION MyWave founder Geraldine McBride on thriving in a sea of digital opportunity

MONEY MATTERS

7

WAYS TO GET ON TOP OF SMALL BUSINESS DEBT

DEALING WITH DEFAULTING DEBTORS What to do when people can't pay up

THE REAL COST OF EMPLOYING STAFF Money mistakes to avoid

BUSINESS ETHICS - the answer to viability

Why you should enforce staff holidays The importance of plans

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

7 REASONS

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Issue 114 September 2015

Issue 114 | September 2015

THE EDGE OF

In this issue...

INNOVATION MyWave founder Geraldine McBride on thriving in a sea of digital opportunity

MONEY MATTERS

7

WAYS TO GET ON TOP OF SMALL BUSINESS DEBT

DEALING WITH DEFAULTING DEBTORS what to do when people can't pay up

BUSINESS ETHICS

THE REAL COST OF EMPLOYING STAFF

- the answer to viability

Why you should enforce staff holidays

Money mistakes to avoid

The importance of plans

Viewpoints

News

In Business

6 The PM’s desk John Key outlines the initiatives designed to help Kiwi families get ahead

10 The edge of innovation Eco-systems, adapt or die, viruses, bugs.

We’re talking nature right? Wrong. For Geraldine McBride it’s strictly business

20 Goods & Services How the team at PoweRun NZ can empower your business and the ways closure lining specialists Wadding Solutions protect products

16 Fishing in a small pond

22 Hospitality

How to snare the catch of the day and, most importantly, ensure it doesn’t get away

The Luscious Food Store’s world of flavour, we visit Mecca Café - The Viaduct’s stylish slice of food heaven, and Alexandra Park’s Kim Algie gives top tips on planning great company Christmas parties

6 Business ethics - the answer to viability

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Auckland Today

Issue 114

Kevin Vincent on what he sees as a defining business issue of our time

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MANAGING DIRECTOR Gary Collins

GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS

6 Lets not get too downbeat about the economy

Kylie Palermo

7 The importance of plans

NATIONAL SALES & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

The best thing about business plans, Glenn Hansen says, is not the end product, but the process this planning forces you through

Clive Greenwood

ADMINISTRATION Stacey Coy Jade Haylett Angela Barltrop Laura McLoed Lyn Wright

7 The significance of definitions Leigh Paulden on how confusion surrounding certain terms can be very damaging to a business

Phone: (03) 961 5050 Fax 0800 555 054 Email: admin@academy.net.nz

7 Staff holidays should be enforced

SALES & ADVERTISING Melissa Sinclair Mariska Du Preez Grant Williams Tina Aiono Jamie Prebble Chris Graves

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

25

Despite losing some economic momentum, Martin Fraser-Allen says there are plenty of things that are going right

Martz Witty explains why he’s adamant that holidays should be taken

26 Health & Lifestyle Choosing natural health with Health 2000, and how your business can help fight a killer disease with The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation

Money Matters

32 Focus

12 Money mistakes to avoid Common financial management errors to steer well clear of

35 Property & Construction

13 Seven ways to get on top of your small business debt Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow a business, but small business owners need to make sure their debt is working for, not against them

8 How to say thank you

NEWSROOM Jonathon Taylor EDITOR Laura Baker JOURNALISTS Terri Cluckie Marie Sherry Phone: (03) 961 5098 Email: editor@academy.net.nz

Suzanne Carter outlines why you should take every opportunity to engage with your website’s visitors 8 Is technology wearing you out?

Jane Cowan-Harris on why you need to switch off in order to switch on

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR DESIGNERS

Understanding the real price of staff turnover

ISSN 1173-1508(Print) | ISSN 2230-6168(Online)

32,290

ABC circulation as at 30/06/15

www.magazinestoday.co.nz

46 Systems How Conveyor & Transmission keeps production lines moving

14 Dealing with defaulting debtors Ways to reduce your vulnerability to clients who can’t pay their bills

47 Transport & Motoring Autocare - the driving force of New Lynn, and getting great deals on reliable vehicles at Albany Toyota

8 Events diary This is where you find out what’s on near you

51 Agribusiness

Phone: (03) 961 5077 | 0800 555 097 Email: production@academy.net.nz

Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services.

A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2013 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

Koia Architects’ designs to last a lifetime, Paul Schirnack Decorating, Mitchell & Stout Architects, Ward Demolition, Stone Warehouse, CS For Doors, Pro-Floors, the Waterview Connection Project’s $1.4 billion ambition, Dingo Groundworx and North Shore Scaffolding

13 The cost of employing staff

PRODUCTION Jarred Shakespeare Carolynne Brown Sarah Betman Alyssa Watson Olivia O'Callaghan

Auckland Grammar School builds for the future, opening a $6 million block of 12 classrooms

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35

Pukekohe vegetable grower, packer and distributor Hira Bhana & Co proves the spice to business life is diversification

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News | Viewpoints

Helping Kiwi families get ahead

By Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

As the National-led Government approaches our seventh anniversary of being in government, it’s a good opportunity to take stock of our progress.

Under National, 194,000 new jobs have been created since the start of 2011. A further 150,000 new jobs are also forecast to be created over the next four years.

There’s been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about the economic outlook, not just in New Zealand but worldwide, given lower than expected international dairy prices and the issues in Greece. New Zealand has a resilient economy. We remain one of the faster growing developed economies and growth is forecast to average 2.8 percent a year during the next four years.

The dairy sector is important but it only makes up about five percent of our economy, and other key industries like tourism, the services industry and ICT are performing well. This year, a number of initiatives have come into effect to help New Zealanders and their families, while putting more money back into their pockets.

On July 1, we introduced our policy for free GP visits and prescriptions for all children under the age of 13. This will benefit around 750,000 children across the country. National is committed to giving our youngest Kiwis the best start in life, and that means ensuring parents are able to take their child to the doctor any time of the day or night, without having to worry about the cost.

We have also increased paid parental leave payments and duration. This has moved from 14 to 16 weeks, and will increase again to 18 weeks on April 1, 2016. Payments have also increased to $516.85 per week.

Earlier this year, our KiwiSaver HomeStart package came into effect. This will help around 90,000 lower and middle income first home buyers attain the dream of owning their own home.

Under HomeStart, we’ve increased the amount and eligibility for government grants - couples are now eligible to apply for up to $20,000 to put towards a deposit to buy a house.

Business ethics - the answer to viability Kevin Vincent is managing director of Vincent Consulting Limited. www.vincentconsulting.co.nz

Ethics in respect to business is the knowledge of understanding right from wrong and making sure you are doing the right thing.

I have always held to the belief that if I treat people as I would like to be treated and that if I continue to add value to the business relationship through delivering best service and outcomes, then that is ethical business behaviour.

Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simple and can be quite challenging in many cases to navigate. Ethics are a significant and defining business issue of our time, affecting corporate profits and credibility, as well as personal security and the sustainability of our economy.

Practicing good ethical behaviours within organisations will bring good benefits in both moral and practical terms. Organisations can enhance relationships with employees, customers and suppliers, and improve profitability when sound ethics (principles and values) are set as daily disciplines.

The consequences or implications of failing to be ethical will ultimately cause any business to implode. Unethical business practices deplete profits, destroy reputations and put at risk all stakeholders.

Cultivation of high levels of ethics in business practice is something every company, no matter its size, should do.

At the very foundation of business, ethics is the commitment to treating customers, employees, investors, suppliers, distributors and anyone else involved with one’s organisation with honesty and respect.

Business ethics is an important management discipline and as such should be included in strategic thinking, planning and implementation. It should include codes of behaviour, roles of committees, policies, procedures and training. In short, companies should have plans in place to prevent and if necessary resolve any ethical dilemmas. Ethical codes of practice within organisations must identify and prioritise values to guide behaviours ensuring alignment with their company values.

On election night last year, I said National would govern for all New Zealanders, and we are doing just that. In Budget 2015, we announced a $790 million package to help reduce hardship among children living in some of our poorest families.

Ethics must start right at the top with the owner’s values and sense of corporate social responsibility, which are then embraced into every business process, practice and procedure.

If the board or chief executive is not seen to be behind the programme, employees will notice! The person at the top must lead by example.

We are also investing more than ever before into health and education and continuing to focus on getting better results for New Zealanders from that investment.

Perhaps most importantly, attention to ethics in the workplace helps ensure that when leaders and managers are struggling in times of crises and confusion, they retain a strong moral compass.

We have a clear plan for the year and term ahead – we are focused and energised – and we will continue to work hard for New Zealanders.

Organisations should develop and document a procedure for dealing with ethical dilemmas as they arise. Ideally, ethical dilemmas should be resolved by a group within the organisation, e.g., an ethics committee comprised of top leaders/managers and/ or members of the board.

Lets not get downbeat about the economy Martin Fraser-Allen, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners. www.craigsip.com

We’ve seen a string of indicators lately that point to a sharp slowdown in the economy, and there is now a lot of conjecture over whether our “rock star economy” is headed for recession.

I never liked that catch phrase. It overestimated how good things were and set us up for disappointment when the inevitable slowdown came. But at the same time, we’re probably getting a little too downbeat with talk of a looming recession and forgetting that we’ve still got a few good things going for us.

The June Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) was the latest negative indicator. The QBSO pointed to a net seven percent of firms being optimistic, well down from 20 percent in the prior survey and the lowest reading since mid-2012.

The March GDP report was weaker than expected, with growth of 0.2 percent well below the previous quarter and market expectations, while the June ANZ business survey saw confidence slip into negative territory for the first time since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The key culprit to all this is falling dairy prices, so it is unsurprising the dairy-intensive regions have experienced the biggest dive in confidence. Dairy products represent almost a quarter of our exports, so it would be foolish to underestimate the impact of the sharp decline in prices. However, there are still a number of positives as well.

We shouldn’t forget that we export other products as well, and many of these are doing quite well. While global dairy prices have fallen more than 40 percent over the past two years, prices for meat, wool, horticultural produce and seafood have all gone up by an average of about five percent. If we account for the recent decline in the NZ dollar, the increase is more than 12 percent over the same period.

We also have few levers to pull to soften the blow. We’ve seen two cuts to the Official Cash Rate (OCR), and there are more to come. The currency has fallen heavily, lessening the impact for dairy exporters and provides a nice boost to others. We should worry about the dairy sector and acknowledge an economy that is quickly losing momentum, but we also shouldn’t ignore the things that are going right.

For Investment Advice please contact Martin Fraser-Allen, Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners Christchurch branch by phoning 03 964 3246 or visit www.craigsip.com.

Mark Lister is Head of Private Wealth Research at Craigs Investment Partners. His disclosure statement is available free of charge under his profile on www.craigsip.com. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as specific investment advice.

Expert tax and structure advice to the property industry Glenn Nightingale

Director

Phone: +64 9 302 0457 Mobile: 021 678 378 6 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Director Glenn Nightingale has assisted clients with many proportionate property ownership scheme floats, a property fund IPO and regularly advises clients on effective business and tax structures and GST issues specific to the industry.

News | Viewpoints

The Importance of plans

Glenn Hansen is a chartered accountant and registered mentor with NZICA. www.hansenconsulting.co.nz

If you’re looking to start a company or want the one you’ve got to move forward, “Where do I start?” is an easy question to answer.

Start with planning.

There are many things to consider, so what is most important is to work through them in an orderly fashion.

Planning! I am talking about planning your business, a business plan. There is much debate about the importance of a business plan, but the debate misses the point. It is not so much the end document that is important, but the process it forces you through.

The plan starts with a vision and a purpose; why does it exist and what will it look like in several years time?

The vision is your starting point for determining your objectives From there through research we build a picture of market size, competitors, and importantly, who the customer is. The customer is all-important. Until you can easily describe the target customer it is not possible to determine: • Customer needs and wants • What motivates customers’ buy decisions • A brand promise that attracts and satisfies customers • How to get your message in front of the target customer • A key business element that will drive performance.

Once the customer is understood, the marketing plan becomes easier. This is also where you consider the other players in the market – what they offer, pricing, how they may react to you.

Consider also how you may differentiate your offering (it’s not just the product - it’s the service, presentation, timelines, etc).

What will your competitors not be prepared to do? What can they not do? Can you ring-fence a part of the market to restrict or prevent access?

And now, what needs to be done? Construct a timeline upon which you can position each action that must be taken.

And finally, put some numbers to it. Develop a cash-flow forecast, preferably built to allow for quick changes in data to account for different scenarios, and determine what your cash requirements are; not just at the outset, but through the initial growth phase.

If necessary adjust the timeline to ensure you will comfortably operate within your cash resources.

At the outset, a business idea usually lacks direction and definition. By the time you have worked your way through a business planning process you will be very clear about what you are offering, why, who to, and how. The essentials have been considered, and you know the direction you intend to go.

Uncertainty is transformed into clarity. It’s a good feeling!

In future articles I will discuss some of the nuts and bolts practical issues to attend to.

The significance of definitions Leigh Paulden is a certified Gazelles consultant. www.ssbg.co.nz

What do we really mean when we assign responsibility, make someone accountable or give authority?

Confusion surrounding the application of these terms can be very damaging to a business – it’s how problems fail to be identified, acted on or resolved and, ultimately, how revenue is lost.

The main difference between accountability, responsibility and authority, is that the last two can be shared, while the first cannot. In his best selling book released last year, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits 2.0: Scaling up, Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles International, says, “If more than one person is accountable, then no one is accountable, and that’s when things fall through the cracks”.

So let’s look at the definitions.

Accountability: Means having the ability to report or count.

It is the role of tracking progress and speaking up when issues arise. Being accountable does not include making decisions or wearing consequences.

Responsibility: This falls to anyone with the ability to respond.

It includes everyone involved in a particular process or issue.

Authority: This lies with the person or team who has the final decision making power and, like responsibility, this can be shared.

The example Harnish uses to illustrate the differences between accountability, responsibility and authority is from his own organisation, Gazelles.

Gazelle’s CFO has accountability for cash – she literally “counts” and reports it to the team daily. And she’s accountable for alerting the team if she senses any potential issues now or later in the year.

In turn, Harnish, as CEO, maintains the authority over cash, signing off on major expenditure and investments. And everyone in the company has responsibility for making sure that cash is spent wisely and that deals/contracts are structured so they help generate vs. absorb cash, as Gazelles continues to scale up.

Throughout different levels of an organisation, the balance between authority and accountability shifts.This is why leaders get paid the big bucks – to bridge this ever increasing gap between accountability and authority, using their skills of communication, persuasion, education, visioning, etc.

So why do so many companies get it wrong?

It’s because not enough attention is paid to the details.

Clearly defining what each person is responsible and accountable for, and has authority over, within correct and consistent definitions is critical. They are not just words, they have meanings attached and it’s crucial to get those meanings right.

Staff holidays should be enforced

By Martz Witty, head of the Martz Group, www.martz.co.nz

Staff holidays are there for a reason. In New Zealand you are typically entitled to four weeks annual leave and yet many businesses don’t ensure their staff take the leave inside of a specified period.

We think that is bad business practice, notwithstanding there might be reasons to let a staff member accrue leave (e.g. an extended holiday later). So why are we so adamant that holidays should be taken?

Accumulating liability Not taking annual leave means that a very real liability is mounting in behind the accounts. A liability that many businesses don’t even reflect in their annual statements. This can come and bite when the leave is eventually taken or on exit of the staff member.

This can create major cash flow woes for a business.

Staff burnout Everyone needs time out occasionally and people who don’t have this reprieve are more susceptible to burn-out. That’s bad for the staff and the business.

Increased absenteeism and sickness When you work for a prolonged period without a break (and this is heightened in demanding and stressful jobs), it’s common to end up with illness. This might result in short or long term sick leave.

It has even been mooted that staff will fake sickness because they are afraid to ask for annual leave.

Increased staff turnover Staff move on for a variety of reasons, but one is commonly that they didn’t feel they could ask for the time off from their current post. Insisting on leave being taken reduces this risk.

Uncover fraud As a former auditor, many was the time that a staff fraud was uncovered when staff were made to take annual leave. New eyes can find irregularities and it is quite frightening just how much staff fraud is being undertaken in New Zealand.

So how can you make sure your staff use their holiday entitlement?

Stress to staff that it is okay to ask for holidays as a healthy life balance is a win-win for staff and business. Instil a culture that not everyone will always be at work; when people realise that not everyone is at work all the time, it becomes easier to request the time off. Have a business policy on leave and make it known to all members of staff. Have open communication about leave entitlements and age of holidays, and proactively suggest staff request time off.

In essence, having a good holiday entitlement programme with enforced leave means your workforce will be better balanced, less stressed, refocused and re-energised.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 7

News | Viewpoints

How to say thank you

Is technology wearing you out?

You should be taking every opportunity to engage with your website visitors, but one opportunity that is very commonly overlooked is the ‘thank you’ message when someone has made a purchase, completed a form, or subscribed to your newsletter.

Most websites have a standard message saying something similar to ‘Thank you for your enquiry. We will be in touch with you as soon as possible’ and that’s it.

While this is a nice, polite (if not dull) message, it has effectively ended the engagement with your website visitor. There is so much more you could do to continue the interaction.

Ideas for your ‘thank you’ page Set expectations Clearly set expectations as to what is the next step and give exact timeframes as to when you will be in touch, rather than just saying ‘as soon as possible’. Make sure though that if you are saying you will be in touch within 24 hours, or the product that has been purchased will be shipped in 48 hours, that you keep to these timeframes. There is nothing worse than having an expectation set only to be disappointed when the timeframes have not been met.

Add contact details Yes, your contact information is on your contact page (or it should be), but make it easy on the user by adding them again in case they have an immediate enquiry.

Calls to action This is where you encourage further action so if someone has sent you an enquiry you could use the thank you page to ask them to subscribe to your newsletter or visit your Facebook page.

You might want to ask them to leave feedback on their experience, so create a feedback form and link to it on the thank you page.

Social media If you are active on social media then include the relevant icon links. Having your website visitors following and interacting with you on other channels, aside from your website, is great for brand awareness and promotion.

Building trust Why not add a testimonial to this page? It reinforces your trust and credibility. Alternatively direct them to your testimonials page if you have one so they can continue to interact with your website.

Including links to your blog posts, videos or whitepapers, you may have written will further enhance your brand credibility.

Design You can be creative with the design of this page. It can look totally different to your other pages, but not so different of course that there is a brand disconnect when landing on this page.

8 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

What’s happening on the business and entertainment front

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Suzanne Carter is a specialist for website development company Limelight Online. www.limelightonline.co.nz

Just checking – but you are thanking people, aren’t you?

EVENTS DIARY

Jane Cowan-Harris is the head of WorkSpace IQ. www.workspaceiq.co.nz

Do you wake up feeling refreshed every morning? Switched on and ready to go? If not it may well be technology that’s slowing you down; you’ve got to switch off to switch on.

Desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones – unless you’re actively avoiding them, the chances are you’re using at least one or two of these devices every day, possibly more.

Of course, there are many positive aspects to all of these handy devices, but when they start affecting your sleep, your productivity at work and even your mental health, then maybe it’s time to start considering just how much you engage with them.

This is particularly important in the evening when, rather than winding it up, if you want to perform well the next day, it’s best to wind your brain activity down into a more relaxed state.

Give your neurons a break!

Mark Rosekind, former director of the NASA Ames Research Centre Fatigue Countermeasures Program, says “One of the most simple but important reasons technology affects our sleep is cognitive stimulation”. As your brain revs up, its electrical activity increases and neurons start to race. This is the exact opposite of what should be happening before sleep.

A hot topic at the moment is the glow from electronic devices.

This ‘blue light’ passes through the retina in our eyes into the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which controls several sleep activities, delaying the release of melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone we all need.

Let it go Having your mobile phone to hand at all hours (like taking it into the bedroom), also means that you are left on alert and this ever ready state of alertness can lead to poor sleeping habits.

Disturbing more than our sleep On top of causing many of us to sleep less and less, technology can also impact negatively on our mental health.

A research study of over 4,000 young adult students, Dr Naim of the Los Angeles Sleep Study Institute, found that regularly using a computer before bedtime is not only associated with sleep disorders, but also stress and depressive symptoms in both men and women.

Switch off tonight to be more switched on tomorrow The evidence is clear that burning the midnight oil to catch up on correspondence, the latest happenings on social media, or simply indulging in some bedtime reading on your tablet, may not be a great idea if you want a decent night’s sleep.

The secret could be as simple as switching it all off a little earlier in the evening.

Business Excellence Network Breakfast Every second month more than 170 business owners and senior business managers gather for breakfast to network and enjoy a keynote speaker. September’s breakfast will feature keynote speaker Kevin Kenrick from TVNZ. To register, go to: www.aucklandnz.com

TUESDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 - 13 Auckland Home Show The iconic Auckland Home Show returns to the ASB Showgrounds, featuring more than 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and trends in renovations, building, furnishing, home improvements and outdoor living.

For more information, visit: www.aucklandhomeshow.co.nz

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Become a Blogger Always wanted to blog but not known where to start? This course will give you the know-how to get started and get your blog out to the world. Learn how to start your own free and easy to run site and build a new blog from scratch.

To register, go to: www.selwyncomed.school.nz

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 The Aha! Influencer’s Change Slate Workshop This one day workshop covers the science and secrets of eliminating resistanceto your ideas, proposals and change strategies. Run by acclaimed author, presenter and persuasion expert Harry Mills.

To register, go to: www.harrymillsworkshops.grow.co.nz

TUESDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER The Value of Difference: Cultural Diversity in the Workplace This breakfast hosted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and St Matthew in the City, will focus on how business today is responding to the demands of New Zealand’s increasingly multicultural identity.

To register, go to: www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – 24 Training 101: Problem Solving and Decision Making This two day workshop focuses on problem solving and the tools needed to better deal with work problems and decisions.

Good problem solving rests in our ability to identify options, research them, and put things together in a way that works.

To register, go to: www.kiwihost.co.nz

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Training Course The pd training Emotional Intelligence Course helps you better understand yourself, which will allow you to build stronger relationships, succeed at work and achieve your career and personal goals. Learn skills like using and reading body language, active listening, questioning techniques and much more.

To register, go to: www.pdtraining.co.nz

IT’S TIME

TO JUMP ONBOARD

THE SUSHI TRAIN An exciting way to eat sushi has hit Auckland and it’s bringing with it a whole new meaning to the term ‘fast food’.

Sushi Train first brought the rotation sushi bar system – a unique part of the Japanese food culture – to Australia more than 20 years ago with the first restaurant in Queensland’s Surfers Paradise in 1994.

For the uninitiated, Sushi Train is a ‘conveyor belt’ sushi restaurant and yes, just like it sounds, sushi travels on a conveyor belt system and you simply pick your selections from a steady stream of fresh authentic sushi options as they pass by.

Named in recognition of the original concept of taking food dishes past the customer using a model train railway system, Sushi Train has since developed a simpler, more conventional conveyor system that also takes food past the customer’s table regularly.

Much like the popularity of Asian cuisine itself, the conveyor system was a massive hit with strong demand for the product and Sushi Train soon expanded to 41 stores across Australia.

What is it that makes the sushi-train concept so utterly intriguing to children and adults alike? How is it that having your food served to you

via conveyor belt somehow makes the whole meal more fun?

While we may never uncover the secret behind the sushi train’s transcontinental appeal, this exciting new concept has finally made it to New Zealand shores and there are now two Auckland outlets tucked away in the CBD that will give your chopsticks a run for their wasabi.

Sushi Train Viaduct has been open at 85-89 Customs Street West since 2006 and has since been joined by Sushi Train Chancery at 201A/32 Courthouse Lane last year.

With special lunch platters available what better place to head to on your lunch break? Or better yet, drinks and

food are available after office hours, so you can head there straight after work. Locals love the delicious, easy and fun dining experience offering authentic Japanese fare and your friends will love it too.

The menu for both stores are available on the website and feature a delicious range of authentic cuisine, from nigiri and aburi, to rolls, udon and donburi, complemented by a range of hot dishes, drinks and desserts.

All Sushi Train restaurants stick thoroughly to the traditional policy of always providing fresh food, priding themselves on delivering the most delicious, unrivalled sushi every time, with high quality ingredients ensuring only the freshest product.

Highly qualified sushi chefs then professionally transform the ingredients into a product of great aesthetics and even greater quality.

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News | Cover Story

THE EDGE OF

INNOVATION Eco-systems, adapt or die, viruses, bugs.

We’re talking nature right? Wrong.

For Geraldine McBride it’s strictly business.

10 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

News | Cover Story A kiwi born and bred, Geraldine McBride has worked her way through the business world from IBM New Zealand’s class of ‘95 to starting her own company while sitting on the board of various others.

From this you may assume that she studied business, economics perhaps. But you would be wrong. McBride’s career started in the world of zoology, or frogs to be exact, and she naturally progressed from there.

Her past roles include being former CEO and president of several regional divisions of SAP (North America, Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand), and senior vice president and global head of applications and BPO (cloud mobile and outsourcing services) for Dell.

Now, McBride heads up her own company called MyWave – a revolutionary digital technology company in the form of a pocket-sized intelligent personal assistant for your smartphone (or the web) called Frank.

Setting up in 2013 with her own seed funding, the company is now worth an estimated $50 million and is completing a well subscribed Series B round – a sure sign that she knows what she’s doing.

One of the many gifts that Geraldine’s time in zoology gave her was that of spotting patterns, not just in nature, but in business. Her previous years in the corporate environment exposed her to a world of CEOs and top-level executives, who all had the same four concerns about the digital world: the ‘consumerisation of devices’ (because “there was more power in the hands of the people than ever before”), the ‘millenials’ (the kids born post-1986 who are social digital natives), the economy as a ‘new normal’ (after the global financial crisis) and the ‘experience economy’, where people pay a premium for great experiences.

These all led to major questions. How do you connect with social-digital natives? How do you deliver experiences for people who are willing to pay a premium for them? How do you keep your company growing in double digits when everything is growing at much lower rates than before? These were questions Geraldine sought answers to and in many ways helped her create MyWave.

The CEOs Geraldine was spending time around were of course concerned about the impact of the digital world on their business – an impact that she calls the “tsunami of the digital revolution”, i.e. the wave of opportunity brought to business by technology which is picking up some and drowning others.

Here she talks about the digital revolution and how to thrive in it, or rather surfing the waves of digital disruption rather than being dumped by them.

Philosophies Although MyWave was built for its own purposes – to bring the customer experience into the 21st century – Geraldine is using her position there to teach brands how to thrive in the digital world, and of course how MyWave can take them even further.

The digital age is all about ease, connection and growth, yet so many companies aren’t quite getting it, so it seems appropriate to ask first: why are so many companies failing?

“It’s 100 years of habit. And people are resistant to change... They wake up in the morning and think about themselves first. They polish their own rocks – their products and processes.”

principles that founded the industrial revolution 150 years ago – principles that paint people as passive consumers.

“You’re supply-chain led (and supply-chain led means that you’re producing things and getting them out the door at the optimal possible cost, and there’s nothing in there about an empowered consumer) – there’s nothing in there about creating great experiences and there’s certainly nothing in there about personalising it.”

Geraldine believes it can be unlocked for New Zealand and the rest of the world too, we just have to nurture data and figure out how best we can utilise it to deliver the experience a customer wants. And she’s already doing that through MyWave and the “opt-in” attitude of Frank.

centered on the customer creates a sticky value-based relationship.

3. Transparency and Trust “The person controls their data and what they share.”

Geraldine has found that “people will share more about themselves if they know that their data is theirs, and in their control.” When they are getting benefit from it they are prepared to share more about themselves, so start to And the first step in turning it around? participate, not passively at the end of the value chain, but empowered, in control and at the “There needs to be a desire to change… start looking at the world through the customers’ eyes. centre of it.

Start looking at the jobs that they need done.

4. Conversation Start looking at the data you’ve got that’s sitting “A two-way interaction between peers, not a in data mortuaries that is so old now because no master and slave relationship.” one is maintaining it.”

We have established now that consumers are But this isn’t news right? We know the not passive beings. The internet and digital consumer is no longer passive and we know that technology have allowed people a space where companies can certainly talk the talk about being they can search for what they want and create customer centric in their approach to business. their own experiences because they have the But are they really practising what they preach? power to do so.

According to Geraldine, the answer would be no.

The relationship between the consumer and “Half a century ago the average Fortune the supplier should therefore be a dialogue, 500 company was living about 75 years not a monologue.

– it could live that long. Today, the average 5. Mutual Value Fortune 500 company is lasting about 14 years and declining… the world is not “The need to add value to both sides.” becoming faster — it is faster.”

Building a relationship with your customer is The world is changing at a great rate and the important now more than ever. No longer does companies that are toppling are the ones that the narrow and siloed supply-chain process of simply cannot keep up and so are being outbusiness work. manoeuvred. Their business focus is out of People want end-to-end outcomes, hyperwhack and their narrow or ‘siloed’ value chain personalised experiences, and they won’t get does not reflect the needs of the customer, so that from mass production, static websites, or they simply don’t offer an experience that people from companies making a quick commoditised want anymore. And why would anyone pay for buck. Give your customers what they want and something they don’t want? People vote with they will reciprocate. their wallets and ratings.

The Norms of the Human Relationship So how does a business thrive in this new technological world?

Geraldine has five pointers that she sets out when guiding brands through this exact terrain, and they go by the name of “The Norms of the Human Relationship”. These norms are true in both physical and digital relationships.

1. Permission “The person is in control of the experience.”

In regards to advertising, bursting into a consumer’s personal online space is intrusive and annoying. Those loud, in your face adverts that scream at the viewer to grab attention —completely wrong!

Geraldine calls her approach to advertising with MyWave ‘Advertising 2.0’, which “is about permission. So I’ll tell you the things that I’m interested in so you can bring me ads that are not junk mail on digital steroids, but entertaining, informational and useful promotions of content on things that I want.”

Let the customer tell you what they want and deliver.

2. Respect “I am not a product. I am an empowered person wanting to get something done or an outcome achieved.”

Respect is knowing your customer is not a product, they are in fact a human being who knows what they want and they want an end-toend outcome. For example the customer does not want a mortgage, but a home, not a drill bit but a hole.

The biggest problem Geraldine finds when looking at why businesses are sinking, is that Moving from a siloed set of commoditised many of them are still functioning under the same products to creating end-to-end outcomes

Big data Of course in the online space, data is king, because without it businesses go in blind.

But not only should it be used as efficiently as possible, it should also be used responsibly.

Geraldine believes a big mistake older companies make is thinking that because they ‘own the customer data’, they control the relationship.

“They think that’s a relationship with the customer, but it’s not, because you’re effectively trying to hold your customer hostage. Whereas what we try and teach them is that it’s not actually about kidnapping and capturing your customer, it’s about building relationships with them.

“Free-range customers are more valuable and there is no such thing as a captive customer anymore – today they have choice.”

She believes that understanding more about living, little data is key. “That is where the value is unlocked and that’s where you start to get the personal information economy.

“Living, little data is centered on the individual, their needs, their dreams, their preferences and what they want to do next, maintained by the customer and shared with the brands in a dynamic two-way relationship that creates mutual value for everyone.”

A recent study in the UK by Ctrl-Shift has found that £16.5bn could be unlocked through what is called the Personal Information Economy (PIE); increasing productivity for enterprise brands and also for individual consumers.

Part of this includes giving the consumer utility and control of their data (how it is used and the outcomes of that use), while simultaneously unlocking billions in increased sales and productivity for the economy.

“If you look at what MyWave does, we’re at the intersection of the Personal Information Economy and also the rise of the intelligent assistant.

There are lots of intelligent assistants being created now and the reason why, is that the static website on its own is no longer good enough.

“It’s not personalised and nobody wants to be stalked and tracked through cookies and having all their data sucked up into goodness knows where, where you’re siloed with no control or end-to-end outcome.

“So the world responded by saying ‘oh let’s create an app’ and now there are apps for everything. The problem is that you end up with something called ‘app fatigue’ and your life and data is siloed over many apps… so the Intelligent Personal Assistant is something that actually rides across all of that.

"It creates these end-to-end experiences across any device. And our example with Frank is that he gets to know you and helps you get what you want, when you want it and in an easy and frictionless way.”

Be the facilitator This is the most interesting thing about MyWave’s purpose: the fact that it brings together everything a customer needs under one virtual roof.

Say for example a customer is looking for a new car. They tell Frank what kind of car they are looking for and supply their preferences data. Frank delivers those options through a quick search or intent cast and presents them to the customer.

But not only does he deliver the cars, he delivers the insurance, the finance and the registration options too. He essentially streamlines the entire process of buying a car, making the car buying, financing, registering and servicing process easy.

By pulling all of these services together, MyWave is essentially facilitating a relationship between not only the consumer and the supplier, but between the suppliers themselves.

It allows car manufacturers to work alongside dealers; banks to work alongside insurance companies. This might come as a surprise, seeing businesses work so closely and willingly with one another, but Geraldine speaks as if it couldn’t be easier.

“CEOs are hungry for growth and they’re not getting the growth in old world verticals alone… so they know that, to keep the core alive and relevant, they need to actually start to do some things on the edge, or I call it on the edge of innovation.”

Streamlining an experience for your customer is vital in today’s business environment, and Geraldine is tough at pushing the fact that businesses no longer need to be the owner of all the assets or services, giving examples like Airbnb and Uber.

“There is a digital chessboard emerging and some brands are becoming hubs, driving new ecosystems with Frank as the intelligent assistant platform, weaving the end-to-end experiences for their customers. Others will only be spokes in those hubs.

“The battleground is ‘be the hub’ and facilitate the end-to-end outcome for the customer.” www.mywave.me

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 11

News | Finance

Money mistakes to avoid

By Laura Baker

“

Hundreds of new SME businesses fail in New Zealand every year.

Don’t mix your personal and business finances.

As a business owner, it’s tempting to blur the lines between personal and business expenses but it is important to keep these two entities, completely separate.

There are a countless number of factors that contribute to a business venture’s demise such as failure to understand the market, business plan problems, bad location, internet presence and marketing and even expanding too fast.

But perhaps the most deadly contributor to start-up failure is an inability to manage business finances correctly.

Don’t let your SME become another statistic; act now to ensure your business is financially strong by avoiding these common financial management mistakes before it’s too late.

”

Is the price right?

Pricing your products or services correctly is tricky business. But it’s worth investing some considered thought and time into this process because it can make all the difference between sinking or swimming. If your price is too high no one will buy; price too low and you lose out on revenue. Develop a strong pricing strategy by assessing what your competitors charge.

If you are unsure how to price your offering start slightly high, this allows you to give discounts.

Avoid having the lowest price in the market.

This can devalue your product and not only turn consumers off, but also force you to generate so much volume it could put you out of business.

Cash poor It is common knowledge that entrepreneurs need a substantial amount of money to invest in the set-up of their business. But it is often months if not more than a year before new businesses start to generate a steady income, let alone make a profit. And it is during this time, if the business doesn’t have enough cash reserves to carry it through, it can fail.

So start with adequate operating cash to get you through the initial turbulent financial phase.

Don’t fool yourself with wishful thinking that the money will somehow appear.

Crippled by credit Young businesses which haven’t secured sufficient operating cash for the initial set-up are forced to turn to credit cards for the early stages of survival. However once a business is plastic dependent, it is extremely hard to get out of debt due to the high interest charges and annual fees credit cards carry. Once a cash strapped SME is in credit card debt it’s often only a short amount of time before it is forced to close its doors. Steer clear of getting into credit card debt at all costs by ensuring you have sufficient operating capital.

Blurred lines Don’t mix your personal and business finances.

As a business owner, it’s tempting to blur the lines between personal and business expenses, but it is important to keep these two entities completely separate.

Maintaining a distinct separation makes it easier for accounting, budgeting and reconciling both sets of books. It is also vital to determining

actual profits and losses and for evaluating the financial health of your small business. Plus it reduces your own personal liability and makes the business more credible.

Going unpaid In the early stages of operation it is not uncommon for business owners to pay themselves a very small salary or even nothing at all. It may seem like a smart decision at the time to channel any and all profits back into the business, but sacrificing your own pay check could damage your personal financial good standing. And at the end of the day if you are not financially healthy your business will no doubt be affected.

Unpaid invoices You’ve done the work, emailed the invoice to your client with the usual payment terms and it’s now overdue. It’s a common complaint for any small business, but it shouldn’t be left to get out of control. Unpaid invoices can stifle a businesses cash flow and bring operations to a grinding halt if large invoices continue to go unpaid.

Having a healthy cash-flow is paramount to your survival and success, so you have to learn how to tackle overdue invoices and ensure you get paid. Organise your accounts receivable system printing your payment terms on the back of every invoice, and follow a clear process in collecting payments. Make sending prompt reminders part of your business.

Don’t diversify Look at successful companies you admire and chances are they started by offering just one or two things and so should you. Initially focus on what your business does best and do that one thing better than anyone else.

The typical business school of thought is to diversify and offer a wide portfolio of products, so when one product dies another one will hopefully flourish. But diversifying prematurely can cripple a business. The problem with selling too many things, especially for a young company, is that it is a massive financial investment that may not pay off because you end up watering down everything you do to the point of mediocrity and they all eventually fail.

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News | Finance

7

ways to get on top of your small business debt

Debt can be a useful tool to start and grow your business, says Victoria Crone, managing director Xero NZ, but small business owners need to make sure their debt is working for, not against them.

“When a substantial amount of expenditure goes towards servicing debt rather than investing in the business, small businesses struggle to grow and can often get into trouble when expenses and debt begin to consistently outstrip revenue,” she says.

“As a small business owner, getting on top of your debt is one of the best resolutions you can make. More than a third of small business owners feel uncomfortable with their levels of debt, but taking a few steps to get things under control can go a long way to making your finances easier to manage.”

Here’s where you can start: 1. Get visibility over your debt If you’re managing your finances through spreadsheets, you probably aren’t aware of all your debt obligations. And, if you’re not aware of your debt, you can’t make a plan to get on top of it. You need to have this information at your fingertips at all times. Using accounting software, like Xero, will help show what you really owe as well as working out your optimum level of debt for your business.

2. Prioritise your debt Not all debts are created equal. Prioritise your debt by asking yourself “what would happen if I didn’t make this payment?” The more unpleasant the outcome, the higher priority the debt. Payroll is usually the highest priority, because if your people aren’t getting paid, they have no incentive to work. And, if they’re not working, they aren’t generating revenue to help you pay off the rest of your debt. The same

goes for your top suppliers and business partners, although not to the same extent.

3. Renegotiate bank loan terms You can renegotiate your bank loan depending on your situation. If you need more cash in the short term, you can ask for a higher interest rate in order to reduce your monthly payments – even though the overall repayment amount will be larger.

4. Work out a payment plan with your creditors If you are having trouble paying off your creditors, talk to them before they come asking for their money. If you put together a clear payment plan, they will be more receptive.

After all, it’s in their interests for your business to succeed; if you go under, they get nothing.

5. Ask your biggest suppliers for a discount Don’t be shy. The people you buy from in bulk and / or have a long history with are great

candidates for getting discounts.

These discounts can add up, and the savings can go into paying your debts.

6. Cut short term costs Accounting software gives you visibility of your largest outgoings, so you can see which costs to cut. For example, you could reduce the amount of office space you lease. Be sure to think carefully about where you cut costs – sometimes it can be counter-productive.

If you lose your biggest customer because you cut your ability to serve him or her for example, you’ll be worse off than you were in the first place.

7. Look for opportunities for more revenue Easier said than done – but it’s not impossible.

One way to get a short term boost is to offer clients a prompt payment bonus. You’ll lose a bit of revenue, but you’ll have the cash you need to service your debt faster.

Understanding the cost of employing staff Small Business Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the release of an online tool to help small and medium sized businesses understand the cost of employing staff.

The tool, developed by Business.govt. nz at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, estimates the fixed and discretionary costs of hiring new staff.

Fixed costs include salary, ACC levies and KiwiSaver. Discretionary costs include recruitment, training and office equipment.

“The Employee Cost Calculator is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses make confident hiring decisions based on realistic and reliable projections,” Foss says.

The Employee Cost Calculator supports the Better for Business — Result 9 programme, which is transforming the public sector to make it easier for businesses to interact with Government.

“Business.govt.nz packages Government information in a way that makes sense to business. It provides information, advice and a variety of tools to help businesses succeed,” Foss says.

For more information visit: www.business.govt.nz/employeecostcalculator

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News | Finance

Dealing with defaulting debtors

By Laura Baker

Even if your business is booming, it’s still important to take measures to protect yourself against loss of revenue if one of your customers’ bubbles pops.

Taking proactive measures to reduce credit risk will ensure if and when the economic development peak ends, your company will be well prepared.

Start-up businesses in particular need to make sure they are protected if a major customer declares bankruptcy. They are the most vulnerable to its effects, and can end up heading down the same path if they are not careful.

If you adopt a casual attitude to bill payment, allowing customers to have overdue accounts and mounting IOUs, you are setting yourself up for financial hurt and risk losing everything you are owed if your customer goes bust.

By allowing customers to have overdue accounts you are effectively becoming a charity service. If a customer asked you to give them a months worth of stock for free would you?

POTENTIAL RISK

There are a number of risks your business will face if you find yourself tied up with a customer who is going through bankruptcy, and it is not always easy to cut ties and walk away.

Mass loss If a customer has outstanding bills and files for bankruptcy, you are most likely going to find yourself out of pocket for a majority of the money. You can stand to lose up to 90 percent of what you are owed. And to intensify the situation the partial payment can not be paid until the businesses reorganisation plan has been approved, which can take up to 12 to 24 months.

Payback Not only are you set to lose up to 90 percent of your receivables if a customer files for bankruptcy, but the bankrupt customers has payment recovery rights. This means you may have to return payments you received from the customer 90 days prior to them filing.

Out of your hands Long term contracts can be very problematic when a customer goes out of business. If you have a long term supply agreement with the troublesome customer, you may not be able to terminate the contract and even worse you might be obligated to continue to honour the agreement, even if they owe you.

OR S & 5 N R DE RTO R O CA RE O M

E V SA

% 0 1

Top tip If you think a customer is struggling and may be considering bankruptcy, protect yourself against loss by limiting your customer’s inventory.

If a slow paying customer suddenly orders an unusually large volume of product, it may be a sign they are stocking up in anticipation of filing.

MINIMISE RISK There are several steps that can be taken to minimise credit risk against your company so you don’t find your business stuck with a large bill and no one to pay it.

Impose a deposit Some customers won’t agree to the 20-day payment terms and some customers can be extremely slack at adhering to these terms.

In this case you should enforce a deposit which you require to be paid before any goods are released. This should help to eliminate credit risk.

Control your contracts Avoid long term contracts with at-risk customers wherever possible. It is best to look at the small print because some long term contracts can make it near impossible to terminate the

agreement with the customer if they are seeking bankruptcy protection. It can be a smart decision to operate monthly contracts with customers who are potentially at risk.

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News | Employment

Fishing in a small pond Eugene de Villiers provides some tips for fishing in a small pond: how to snare the catch of the day and most importantly, ensuring it doesn’t get away.

What advice do you have for business owners who are new to recruiting staff?

You need to be very specific on the profile you are looking for. The more specific you are the more successful your recruiting drives will be.

In our organisation we give the heaviest weighting to cultural fit.

You can train people in the technical skills required, but no matter how technically capable staff are, if they are not passionate about customer service and going the extra mile, they are simply not going to fit our particular DNA. Don’t rush is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given. Don’t be tempted to employ someone because they almost fit the bill, as every time I have done that I have lived to regret it. Sometimes the perfect candidate doesn’t appear immediately, but the cost of employing someone who is not a perfect match is far more than a few months of patience.

How do you know if a candidate will be a good fit for your organisation’s culture?

New Zealand is a small place and asking referees the right questions is crucial to matching a candidate's profile to your organisation.

Because we have refined our profile we can significantly reduce the chances of a bad hire.

I also follow my own intuition (built up over many years), and nine times out of 10 I am right.

Another measure I use is whether the candidate would be a good fit with our customer base.

Might sound basic, but is so often overlooked.

Is it difficult to keep good staff? How do you make them happy?

Like most business owners, I have learned from trial and error. One of my biggest learning’s is that contrary to what many others might say – paying the big dollars doesn’t ensure staff will stay.

Retaining good staff is about customising their remuneration package. For example we have a number of working mothers in our team and so for them flexibility of hours is paramount.

Staff engagement is also very important. We regularly poll our staff on what makes them

“

Retaining good staff is about customising their remuneration package. For example we have a number of working mothers in our team and so for them flexibility of hours is paramount.

happy to come to work and we know that celebrating milestones is on the happy list.

So we regularly have a morning tea or decorate a staff member’s desk with balloons and streamers to celebrate both personal and professional successes.

We also have a shared lunch once a week where teams are nominated to prepare the meal, phones are turned off and we enjoy each other’s company without distraction. Whilst the days of Friday afternoon drinks have been toned down in terms of alcohol consumption, we encourage all team members to knock off early on a Friday and enjoy some friendly rivalry over the Foosball table. All of these things are low cost but high impact.

”

Poaching - what can you do to minimise this?

In the same way that the incentive programmes we design for our clients are bespoke, we take those principals and practice what we preach internally.

By listening to what is important to our staff then we can reward them accordingly, be it with flexible working hours, staff development opportunities or other meaningful incentives.

Because we believe that our staff are at the top of their game, then chances are our competitors will think so too and so it is inevitable that they may be approached to jump ship.

Employers who simply motivate their staff by dollars are far more vulnerable to poaching, as

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competitors simply up the anti by a few dollars. It is a great deal harder for competitors to replicate meaningful staff incentive programmes.

When you do lose a valued team member, do you have any tips for employers to ensure this doesn’t de motivate the rest of the team?

My number one rule is never ever to talk negatively about a departing staff member, regardless of whether you can’t wait to see the back of them. Every time we lose a staff member we use this as an opportunity to re evaluate our team strengths and weaknesses, and to reassess our capabilities.

This may influence the profile of our next desired candidate.

Eugene De Villiers is the Managing Director of the Auckland-based Extra Mile Company, which specialises in creating cost effective behavioural change programmes, utilising a range of awards including travel, merchandise, recognition and branded cash.

For more information contact Eugene@ extramilecompany.com or follow him on linkedin.com/company/extra-mile-company

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Moored at the Viaduct, in downtown Auckland, the Savoy is a luxury charter yacht fully equipped to handle half-day and fullday cruises throughout the beautiful Hauraki Gulf and further afield to some of the best fishing in Great Barrier for overnight or multiday cruises.

The Savoy’s wide multi-hull design also makes it incredibly stable and comfortable for those who are normally not so comfortable on the water. Sail into a quiet, secluded bay, and enjoy the tranquility and relaxation of your own private slice of paradise.

The vessel sleeps six comfortably and has a large kitchen and dining area, perfect for entertaining.

For a memorable wedding, complete with stunning photo opportunities, you could do no better than booking a charter.

The Savoy skippers are, without a doubt, Auckland’s best fish whisperers and dolphin diviners. They are locals who are very experienced and their love of the harbour and the islands is obvious.

The Savoy is equipped with Simrad, a leading marine electronics brand for more than 60 years. Powered by the Simrad NSS Evo2 and combined with the Simrad Halo Pulse compression radar, enables Savoy to track down sea birds with long range detections.

Catering to both corporate needs and individuals, Savoy Charters is all about flexibility and tailoring.

This puts us right on spot for some dynamic fishing and virtually guarantees us catching large fish as a result; we often see dolphins and whales leaping form the water.

If you have clients visiting, charter the Savoy to take them out on the harbour to watch the Volvo Ocean Race, or simply for a sight seeing cruise.

The deckhands/crew are all fishing fanatics and can assist with all levels of fishing experience - even those that have never cast a rod.

For individuals, Savoy provides fishing charters, birthday charters, hen parties and stag do’s.

Hiring the Savoy for fishing is probably the most popular charter, be it for a commercial client or a bunch of guys wanting a weekend

away with plenty of “snaps” of large Snapper and Kingfish to show their mates at work on Monday.

Auckland has a beautiful harbour with easy access and is just a hop skip and jump, or in nautical miles - very few, to the handful of islands dotted conveniently in the Hauraki Gulf. Depending on the length of the charter the Savoy can take you to some or all of the islands.

Waiheke Island, about 17.7 km (11.0 mi) from Auckland, is the second largest island in the Gulf and home to some of the best vineyards in New Zealand.

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Goods & Services | PoweRun NZ

The people to empower your place What gives customers of PoweRun NZ Ltd a great deal of confidence is that the business is owned and operated by an electrical engineer who knows everything that needs to be known about electronic products and accessories.

“If you put a carpenter in to run this business they wouldn’t last five minutes”, says Vijay Kumar. “Customers rely on me to analyse their electrical requirements, especially when it comes to the installation of switchgear and cabling, and then to advise them on the appropriate systems and products.”

Vijay has been an electrical engineer for more than 30 years, beginning his career in Fiji.

On immigrating to New Zealand he worked for 13 years for Motorola until they closed their operation in this country. Vijay was such a

vital cog in that company’s machine they tried to persuade him to move to Adelaide.

That did not suit Vijay’s lifestyle at the time and the result was the establishment in 2002 of PoweRun NZ Ltd. The business started small from the basement of Vijay’s own home, but grew swiftly.

Now two large warehouses in Mount Wellington contain some 12,000 products, from tiny nuts and bolts to large drums of cable, and everything in between. Three expert staff are on hand to serve customers and provide them with professional advice on the right products for their particular project. They pride themselves on being the most trusted source of electrical and data products.

PoweRun are wholesalers providing an integrated service to electrical contracting firms, electricians, builders, developers, businesses and factories. That service covers electrical maintenance, design, build, installation and project management, with Vijay acting in a consultancy role to clients.

PoweRun also specialise in ICT infrastructure such as building IBM/HP hardware/software services, in telecommunication projects involving copper/fiber optic backbone and

wireless solutions, and in home automation systems. Vijay is a Licensed Security Consultant and recent customers include Kiwi Rail, Auckland Transport, Sudima Hotels, Quest Group of hotels and Auckland Co-op Taxis. PoweRun also has staff who design and implement any ‘telco’ solutions for small to large businesses.

Although 100 percent locally owned and managed, PoweRun is part of a multi-national group which has a presence in a number of countries including Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. The PoweRun brand has its own range of products, but PoweRun NZ also import and wholesale products from General Cable, Prysmian Cable, PDL, Clipsal, NHP, Schneider Electrics, AllenBradley and Siemens. All their products are AS/NZS approved and come with their manufacturers’ warrantee.

For all construction and maintenance projects PoweRun supply down lights, electrical switches and accessories, security lights, TPS cables, mains cables, air conditioners, main distribution boards, and all the other products required to complete electrification.

They supply all the items at very competitive rates because of their low overhead costs and access to products from overseas.

Wherever possible, PoweRun include the latest innovations in their product range. “We deliver the right thing our customers want, in the right

A Taste of PoweRun’s Products • Wire and cables of all lengths • Industrial switchgear • Circuit breakers • Conduits and fittings • Fans and ventilation • Gang grids and cover plates • Couplings, glands and inspection tees.

place and at the right time,” Vijay says. “Our highest priority towards our customers is that they get the finest quality product at the most cost effective price. Nothing less will do”.

PoweRun is open seven days and available 24 hours for any emergency requirements.

They have plenty of parking so it is very convenient for customers to drop in and pick up their choice of products. Product can also be purchased online. AT PoweRun NZ Ltd Unit 8/4 Clemow Drive Mount Wellington Auckland T (09) 573 3080 E info@powerun.co.nz www.powerun.co.nz

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P. 09 573 3080 | E. info@powerun.co.nz | www.powerun.co.nz 20 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Goods & Services | Wadding Solutions

Closure lining to protect your products Sealing products in containers or jars with plastic screw caps is nothing new, but is becoming more common in industries where compliance is essential and the threat of product tampering is rampant.

Closure lining from Wadding Solutions can be used for all sorts of products, from food to agricultural, including: • The lift-and-peel seal on the top of a milk bottle that you peel off before you pour • The tiny induction seal liner you peel off before you use a tube of moisturiser • The tabbed induction seal you peel off before you guzzle a sports drink • The freshness seal that covers your protein powder or vitamin tablets • The liner you pierce on the goldfish food before you feed them their dinner • The protective liner you remove from your insecticide before you mix a solution to feed your plants or kill your weeds • The foam gasket seal that is in many screw caps, but not often noticed.

All food-related products going overseas in today’s market require the packaging to have a form of tamper evidence. Supply without the interruption of damage is a crucial element of export, not only for the food industry, but also the veterinary, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.

By using a combination of appropriate packaging (a hermetic seal in a tamper evident

screw cap), exporters can confidently send their products overseas, knowing their goods will reach the destination without interference before going to market.

They have a substantial tooling library for their automatic machines, so they can line a wide range of caps and closures in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Closure lining offers the manufacturer tamper evidence, but can also assist with increased shelf life and the ability to freight a product without it leaking - it only takes one leaked item to contaminate an entire shipment of product, causing months of disruption.

Wadding Solutions has a dedicated team and is focused on providing clients with a personalised and efficient service. Staff take the time to speak with clients in a confidential manner and provide them with a specific solution, along with samples, to test with their products.

The Wadding Solutions answer Closure lining is what the team at Wadding Solutions is passionate about. The company offers a range of materials which give value to plastics and glass packaging in a wide range of industries.

They encourage clients to thoroughly test their packaging in order to prevent any problems occurring before production begins.

As well as their purpose-built cleanroom, Wadding Solutions has its own testing facility

onsite, with an Enercon induction sealer set up to test your packaging.

With a large support network of material suppliers and industry related machinery manufacturers, the company can help with any packaging challenges. AT

Wadding Solutions Limited 21 B Hannigan Drive Panmure Auckland T (09) 570 8666 E sales@waddingsolutions.co.nz www.waddingsolutions.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Wadding Solutions is Quality Management System Certified ISO 9001 by Telarc SAI Ltd. Customer care is our top priority and with this recent qualification we are able to provide our clients with the confidence they require in the service we provide.

With the added advantage of high tech equipment we are able to provide our clients with efficient lead times as well as personalised solutions for their packaging using a wide range of closure lining materials from around the world.

Email: sales@waddingsolutions.co.nz Phone: 09 570 8666 www.waddingsolutions.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 21

Hospitality | The Luscious Food Store

A world full of flavour Cooking shows have been a popular staple of daytime TV programming since the earliest days of television, but the rise of reality TV has seen the genre go next level. And when it comes to some of the biggest film and television productions in Auckland, including BBC’s Castaway, America’s Next Top Model and local hits like Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls and Power Rangers, it’s Aucklander Jono Clarke who meets their catering needs.

He’s worked in fine dining restaurants both here and throughout Europe, before spending the last 10 years catering for local television productions and other events, including the Netball World Cup and Taste.

“I think one of the best jobs we have had was the catering contract for BBC’s castaway,” Jono explains. “It was four months living on Great Barrier Island, feeding a crew of 180 people, five different meal times a day while they were broadcasting live to the UK. We got to work with a lot of local ingredients, catching our own fish, while people were dropping off

crays and mussels to serve. And, of course, Great Barrier itself made it a great job.”

While the outlook isn’t quite as tropical, Jono’s latest venture – The Luscious Food Store – still has the same dedication to serving high quality, locally produced food.

The Te Atatu Road café features a tempting array of rolls, cakes and homemade pies with flavours like venison with red wine, smoked salmon and beef bourguignon, with daily blackboard specials and a wide range of breakfast and lunch favourites.

Being successful in business is all about communication and, with this, establishing and maintaining working relationships with both suppliers and clients alike, so The Luscious Food Store would like to thank all its clients, suppliers and partners. With this in mind, it thanks those companies who have supported the company on these pages: the ANZ and Smart Tax Solutions.

A relaxed, child-friendly neighbourhood café that serves up fresh, locally sourced meals, The Luscious Food Store started more than five years ago, when Jono wanted to deliver a ‘taste of home’ with a range of modern and traditional cuisine. “Up until then we had just been operating as a catering company with a commercial kitchen in Henderson,” he says.

“Catering continues to play a big role in what we do. We can cater to everything from weddings and Christmas parties, to corporate events and wine maker dinners, and our regular pub quizzes.

Depending on your dining style, we can cater to anywhere from 35-135.”

A popular outdoor area offers a perfect spot for lounging in the sun, with activities for the kids and beer on tap for the grown-ups. “Our unique selling point really is our unique outdoor area, the fact we can cater for larger groups and that we’re very child friendly,” he says.

22 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

It was his love for fresh and innovative cooking and many years in the food and catering industry that led him to open The Luscious Food Store, bringing his style of innovative food to Te Atatu Peninsula.

He sources produce locally wherever possible and keeps the menu seasonal, with the popular staples. “We like to change the menu up a bit, though some items are kind of staples, set in stone which are big sellers with our locals. It’s about keeping up with food trends and things we see as new and exciting.

If we’re enjoying the style and taste, hopefully customers are too.”

The Luscious Food Store was also an early adopter of recycling, composting all food scraps and using only 100 percent compostable packaging. It was the first commercial catering firm in the city to use potato packaging which has since gone on to become the benchmark of eco-suppliers in Auckland and recycling and composting continue to be a very important part of the Luscious Foods story.

Jono caught the cooking bug when he went travelling and, arriving home well-travelled but unqualified, he wanted something under his belt. “I had been interested in cooking, so I phoned AUT and discovered that, at the time, you could do all the theory in a 12 week course, which sounded like a quick way to get qualified,” he laughs.

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“Getting positive feedback from customers is always satisfying, but at the same time nerve wracking. When you’re a chef, you really do put your heart and soul into your food so you want people to love it. There’s always new things to learn and something new to try and when you make people happy, that’s what it’s all about.”

The company is currently working on a new catering website after opening a new catering kitchen and lunch bar in Patiki Road. “All our catering and café food used to come from the Te Atatu premises,” Jono explains.

“However, as we have continued to grow, this has become unsustainable and it became too difficult to run both operations from the one kitchen, so we made the decision to expand.

“Moving forward we’re going to be concentrating on running both wings of the business more independently while maintaining our high standards.”

“There’s a few places around town now that, while they might not be the new darlings of what’s happening out there, they are still excellent establishments and it’s great to get out and appreciate those places,” Jono says.

“We’re all about good honest food, made from scratch and made properly. We’re not taking shortcuts and you just can’t beat that in the end.” AT

Open Monday to Thursday from 7am-4pm, Friday and Saturday 7am-late and Sundays 7am-4pm.

The Luscious Food Store 547 Te Atatu Road Te Atatu South Auckland T (09) 834 8499 www.thelusciousfoodstore.co.nz

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 23

Hospitality | Christmas Events

Christmas is coming, so plan your company event early The key to a successful Christmas party is starting early. It’s never too early to book your event regardless of how big or small your company is.

Companies book their Christmas event as early as February and sometimes when the tinsel is still up after their last Christmas bash. Organising a corporate Christmas function takes time and the earlier you start, the easier and more painless this will be. You may even enjoy the process.

Leaving it late is of course what many of us do, but last minute deals aren’t as common as you might hope. By booking early you will have more choice as to where you go and what you do, and it will be less stressful.

Choose a date and book a venue Christmas is a popular time of year and also a busy time of year. Ideally you will have the whole office attending, so setting a date and booking a venue early is imperative in ensuring this, and remember - you will never please everyone.

Set a budget You need a budget which will allow you to be realistic in your event choices and you should leave some money aside as a backup for any surprises. Of course not everyone has an in house event organising resource to plan their

celebrations - but that doesn’t mean you can’t add plenty of flair to your own Christmas party.

Now you need to think what you would like to do? There is an almost endless variety when it comes to the type of Christmas party you can plan. It mainly depends on location, budget, numbers attending and also how much you want to be directly involved in planning and managing the event.

Bespoke or packaged Christmas party?

Bespoke is arranging from scratch, finding a venue, organising and bringing together different suppliers such as catering, theming, entertainment etc. Packaged Christmas parties are ‘off the shelf’ Christmas parties organised by either a venue or Christmas party planner.

This option is perfect for the time poor business person trying to pull everything together.

Once you have decided how you would like to organise your event you can then ask yourself the following: Have we done this before? What kind of entertainment will I need? Do we want to have music? Will we have people dress up?

Will we invite partners? What type of food is going to appeal to everyone? Have I considered the all-important dietary requirements? How am I going to make this memorable? Do I need to organise transport or accommodation? Finding a venue with pizazz or thinking outside the box can sometimes make for the best events.

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24 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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The food is a key part of any party

By Kim Algie

They know the space really well and would have seen plenty of events so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

And it can also be incorporated into your theme.

Do you need pre-dinner nibbles, canapés, a buffet or a sit down three course meal with silver The Christmas party is not just a service? Make sure you see the menu in advance “Christmas party"” to ensure the right amount of variety and options The festivities are a thank you to the staff for your group. and the company’s chance to show gratitude and appreciation for the hard work Give some thought to the of dedicated employees. beverages offered You want everyone to be in the party spirit, but you also want to ensure the right tone is set.

Are you going to offer an inclusive beverage package, a cash bar, or have a pre-paid limit for each person with organised drink vouchers, which will mean the budget is also not blown out by staff ordering from the top shelf?

Can we afford to have a Christmas party?

Ask yourself - can you afford not to? Remember that the Christmas party should be organised for the enjoyment of your staff and you should not choose the easiest option or what you prefer.

Be aware of the dos and the don’ts

So what are you waiting for?

Whether you are the new intern attending your first company gathering or a company veteran, phones should be on silent and you should dress appropriately – this applies to both men and women. This is still a company event, so make sure you give your staff a brief of the type of activity/ theme they will experience. The best time to do this is when sending out invitations.

One key thing to close with is ask for feedback - this way it will help you to organise an even better event next year. AT

Do a site visit That way you can get a better idea of how things can come together and remember to make the most of the event’s team at the venue.

Take the reins and let your team toast you for putting together the best Christmas party yet!

Kim Algie is the sales and marketing manager at Alexandra Park. Kim has extensive experience in organising events within the hospitality and entertainment industry working with both corporate and private clients. Visit www.alexandrapark.co.nz or call (09) 630 5660.

Hospitality | Mecca Café

The Viaduct’s stylish slice of food heaven In the vibrant surroundings of the Viaduct Basin sits the Mecca Café; a laidback, stylish slice of food heaven where the dishes are freshly prepared by excellent chefs every day and the atmosphere is chilled.

Established in 1995 by owner Metin Yildiz, Mecca Café is a small gathering place for lunch time catch ups with friends, business meetings, or even just to sit down and enjoy a fantastic coffee while reading a book.

Part business owner and wife of Metin, Slavka Yildiz, says the business may have changed dramatically during the years, but not their passion. “When you start your own business you follow your passion - you’re not driven by what you will get back for the hard work. Your mind is busy creating something different for people to enjoy.”

With around 30 staff members from all over the world, their diversity has made them very close, just like a family who look out for and support one another.

Personally, Slavka enjoys the silverbeet and goat’s cheese pie. “As a woman I just love it, it’s nice and light and incredibly tasty.”

Following the success of last year, they have also brought back their six-course degustation menu which was their top promotion in 2014.

The menu for two is priced at only $109 (usually $145) and features dishes like seared tuna, Slavka’s favourite silverbeet and goat’s cheese pie, crispy pork belly and so much more!

The Bubble Lounge Alongside the café sits the Bubble Lounge which serves as a function room with its own bar that can be hired out for private parties and events, accommodating up to 100 people.

Slavka says commitment to their staff and colleagues clearly translates into the treatment of their customers, as their dedication to them is what has seen them be so successful during the years.

The bar, which serves both the Bubble Lounge and Mecca Café, hosts a wide range of drinks and cocktails; a particular favourite being the home made Skittles Vodka – something not to be missed!

“Our strength is in our consistency. It is what people like, a guaranteed place, knowing what they get for their money and knowing we are always open and welcoming. So being consistent has been a huge, huge thing for us over the years.

Thank you

“These days we are spoiled for many choices, so to that respect we have to make sure our customers are well looked after and are high on our priority list.”

In this sense it seems that Mecca Café has turned itself into a local favourite, a place for people to unwind and enjoy excellent food with customer service to match.

The menu boasts a range of dishes from breakfast and brunch through to dinner courses, each with a delicious selection on offer.

“A very popular dish is the lamb shank dish… and we have got beautiful Moroccan eggs on a breakfast dish which is a must try!

It’s fantastic!”

— Advertising Feature

Being successful in business is all about working relationships with both suppliers and clients, so Mecca Café would like to thank all those it works with and for, including: PDQ Print, Décor Displays, Jacks Coffee Company and Seneca Group. AT

“As the years have passed we have faced many challenges in the business, so we keep adjusting and renewing ourselves. Despite many years in hospitality experience, you still have to prepare yourself to do everything to maintain your standards and quality.

Café open 7 days, 7am – 11pm Bubble Lounge open 7 days, 12pm – Late

Mecca Café 85-87 Customs St West Viaduct Basin Auckland T (09) 358 1093 www.meccacafe.com

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 25

Health & Lifestyle | Health 2000

Choosing natural health If you had to rely on one vehicle for the rest of your life, chances are you’d make sure to meet that six-monthly service schedule, you might check the oil and water with a little more regularity and you might even go so far as to splash out on that fancy fuel additive.

We only get one body. Much like our vehicles, our bodies require a quality fuel source, regular maintenance and sometimes a little extra care and attention when things go wrong.

“There are so many mixed messages out there as to what health is that it’s difficult to be more health conscious,” Health 2000 marketing manager Stu Cook says.

“Advertising tells us to eat this and eat that, but when you look closely, it’s laden with sugar that works in our bodies as a toxin.

With something like 50 names designed to hide sugar in products, it’s difficult for the average consumer to make informed decisions for their health.”

That’s the key to Health 2000’s success – education. A nationwide co-operative established in 1993 to increase buying power and pass subsequent savings onto customers, Health 2000 has earned a reputation as a well-known and respected supplier of health products, but today the company is about so much more than that.

“We focus on having qualified staff in all our 76 nationwide outlets,” Stu explains. “This ensures you get access to the right advice from trained people who understand how the body works and what the products do.”

It’s a holistic approach to health which, instead of treating the symptoms, looks to find the root cause.

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26 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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If you have a headache or toothache you take Panadol, but rather than working where it needs to work, it works just on the pain receptors. HealthZone on the other hand, is designed to work on a specific area.

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- STU COOK, HEALTH 2000 MARKETING MANAGER

”

No man stands alone For more than 20 years, Health 2000 has been supported by a wide range of loyal suppliers. Integria Healthcare, Lifestream, Brandfolio, Comvita NZ and Natural Health Labs are just some of the loyal supporters who have played a role in the success of this nationwide co-op.

food additives, viruses, mould and spores, fungi and bacteria, parasites, toxic metals, radiation, chemicals, EMF and ELF, and food sensitivities.

“The test can pick up food sensitivities you might not know you have, vitamin deficiencies which could be impacting other areas of your life, a fungus or virus that, although isn’t causing any signs or symptoms, may flare up when you get run down, enabling you to address the root cause before then,” Stu says.

“Importantly, the treatment for many of these things isn’t just about supplements and many can be rectified through simple dietary changes.

It’s an extremely powerful test that we’re currently rolling out through all our stores.

The path we recommend a customer goes down is only what is in their interest,” Stu explains.

Fact from fiction In recent years, sales in the global nutrition and supplements market have seen an unprecedented spike. This has encouraged a number of new players to step into the market with products that promise to be the elixir of youth, health and vitality.

As a result, New Zealand’s health and beauty markets have been saturated with hundreds of products that claim all sorts of benefits, leaving the average consumer scratching their head.

With a new product seemingly on the shelves every day, how do we tell fact from fiction?

The credibility, reputation and success of our health shops is a key driver of local consumer choices, and it’s a responsibility Health 2000 doesn’t take lightly.

Each of the approximate 20,000 products available through Health 2000 stores are sourced from around the world, but predominantly from New Zealand and are selected through a stringent selection process by a product advisory group which looks at aspects such as ingredients.

“It’s not about having the most products on our shelves,” Stu says. “But rather, it’s about having the best products on our shelves to meet our customers’ needs.”

The company is the exclusive distributor of two unique brands, both built on different technologies. HealthZone is a premium brand exclusive not only to Health 2000, but New Zealand as well, using mineral transporters, which enable the product to work where it needs to work.

“If you have a headache or toothache you take Panadol, but rather than working where it needs to work, it works just on the pain receptors.

HealthZone on the other hand, is designed to work on a specific area.”

Lighthouse is a great every day supplement range, price point is key, ensuring you’re getting a great product for a great price. >

For more than two decades, Health 2000 has continued to grow and evolve, constantly seeking new ways to give customers access to the best advice, information and products. The latest incarnation of that is the company’s Hair Follicle Analysis Test.

As a scalp hair lives for five to six years, its selfcontained follicle, like a root or plant bulb, keeps a longer record of what passes through the body than blood or urine sampling.

Today analysis of those hair follicles can be used to assess the influences our environment is having on us, offering people of all ages a detailed personal wellness profile, so they can see what to target – what to avoid, or which minerals and vitamins and other nutrients they need more of.

Analysis takes 15 minutes and provides a comprehensive 30 page overview of a person’s environmental influence in relation to 16 minerals and 16 vitamins, 23 amino acids, omegas (3, 6 and 9), 13 antioxidants and exposure to www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 27

Health & Lifestyle | Health 2000

“Lighthouse has a Garcinia Cambogia product which is a big seller that has been out for a few years now which is a great aid to a weight management programme.

HealthZone’s Stress Zone is one of the most amazing products I have ever come across.

It helps your body deal with stress without zoning you out.”

When it comes to sorting fad from fiction, Stu says it’s all about research and talking to a trained professional, who cares. “Many of our people work for Health 2000 because they have experienced an ailment that has been fixed or managed through natural health.

It’s not about selling a product - it’s about finding the right solution for the customer.

“Each of us is unique. Our bodies, although largely the same, work slightly different to each other and it’s about working out what’s right for you.”

28 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“Health decisions aren’t a ‘one size fits all’. It’s about real products for real people who want to live a better, healthier life and we will continually look for ways to empower our customers to make informed decisions about their health.”

“I always think, you can go to the cheapest mechanic, but you’re not necessarily getting the best service for your car. Your body is way more important than your car so make sure you talk to someone who is passionate about natural health and will sell you a product that is best suited for you.” AT Health 2000 Hamilton Support Office Ground Floor 408 Anglesea Street Hamilton T 0508 69 4325 www.health2000.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Health & Lifestyle | The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation

How your business can help fight a killer disease

On a more positive note, of the eight women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, 86 percent will survive five years or more. But The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) say that’s not enough – more research and better treatments are needed to help more women survive much longer.

On an annual basis, October is Breast Cancer Month. Individuals, families and especially businesses can be part of the pink campaign.

It’s easy - just go pink as we acknowledge, educate and raise funds to fight breast cancer.

Research and education cost money - and this is where all Kiwis come in. The NZBCF doesn’t receive government funding - it needs your help to continue its important work.

Turn your office pink this October

Dig out your pinkest and brightest outfit and join thousands of people across the country to help increase awareness of breast cancer and raise money to support NZ women with the Estee Lauder Companies Pink Star Walk on October 17

>

New Zealand women have one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world. There will be 3,000 new incidences in the next 12 months.

That’s one out of nine women who will be diagnosed with this cancer in their lifetime and 90 - 95 percent of these women will have no history of the illness in the family.

The core objectives of The NZ Breast Cancer Foundation are to save lives through breast health education, promote early detection through mammograms, support women with breast cancer and fund research for better treatment and greater survival.

Breast Cancer Month is the perfect opportunity for your organisation to walk the ‘corporate social responsibility’ talk and build staff engagement by dressing in pink, and helping to raise the much needed funds for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pink for a Day is the chance to turn your workplace pink any day during October.

Bring in pink food, wear pink clothing or ‘pink your boss’… the possibilities for workplace fundraisers are limited only by your imagination. Involve staff and customers in this great cause.

To register your event, visit: www.pinkforaday.co.nz

30 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Your business can help by volunteering to collect on the streets, or in your business place, on October 9 and 10 for the Pink Ribbon Appeal

>

Eight women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand; she could be your colleague, mother, sister, daughter or friend.

Health & Lifestyle | The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation YOUR BUSINESS CAN SUPPORT BREAST CANCER MONTH VIA: October 9-10 is Pink Ribbon Appeal encourage your staff to volunteer to collect on the streets (or in your business place) on October 9 and 10. In recent years whole streets and blocks were taken over by a business for a couple of hours helping to collect. To volunteer: www.takeaction.org.nz.

The fight against breast cancer - where the money goes. The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation works to prevent New Zealanders developing and dying of breast cancer, and with our exceptionally high rates of the disease, it’s vital the research continues and the support and education get to the women who need it.

October 17 – Estee Lauder Companies Pink Star Walk in Auckland Domain. Register a team to take part in the Companies Pink Star Walk - a fun evening event where you can choose to walk 5 or 10kms. To register for a twilight walk visit: www.pinkstarwalk.co.nz.

Awareness and education – the foundation provides free education about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and about the value of early detection through mammograms; designed to reach women everywhere, and with a special emphasis on groups who have worse breast cancer outcomes, such as Maori and Pacific Island women.

Turn your business Pink for a Day - run this anyway you like - have fun, bring the team together and raise funds anyday in October.

Research and medical grants –research into breast cancer prevention, better diagnosis

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The private waiting room and change facilities situated away from the busy reception makes the whole experience less daunting and enhances the interaction between patients and our clinic team.

After your examination you will be able to talk to the radiologist who will show you your mammogram and answer any questions you may have.

Our team look forward to welcoming you to our clinic where you will enjoy the difference.

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and new treatments is crucial to improving breast cancer survival. It also funds the breast cancer patient registers in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury which provides an invaluable tool for researchers and doctors.

Advocacy – the foundation aims to keep the needs of New Zealand women to the forefront in public health decisions about breast cancer screening and treatment.

Community support – funds 0800 BC NURSE, a helpline staffed by a foundation breast-care nurse. It also funds Sweet Louise, an organisation providing hands-on help to women with secondary breast cancer, and the NextSteps and Pinc Pilates programmes, helping women recover from mastectomy. AT

Pink for a Day is the chance to turn your workplace pink any day during October.

To register your event, visit: www.pinkforaday.co.nz The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation 11 York Street Parnell Auckland T (09) 304 0766 E breasthealth@nzbcf.org.nz

www.nzbcf.org.nz

— Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 31

Focus | Auckland Grammar School

Auckland Grammar builds for the future Auckland Grammar School’s classrooms now align with the leading secondary school’s academic accomplishments, after an ambitious $6 million building project saw a brand new block of 12 classrooms opened in May. A state secondary school for Forms 3 to 7 (Years 9 to 13) boys, Auckland Grammar School was established in 1850 – almost three decades before New Zealand formed the state education system. A roll of 2,504 as of March 2015 makes it New Zealand’s largest single sex school and places it among the six largest schools in the country.

Local lifestyle magazine Metro has described Auckland Grammar’s results in the Cambridge system as “comparable with most private schools, and it scores extremely well in Scholarship too”.

Officially opened by New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae and headmaster, Tim O’Connor on Friday, May 8, the new state of the art classroom development replaces an existing outdated building on the school site.

After the main school building was built in 1916, it was discovered the two toilets were not enough

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to meet the needs of the school a separate bathroom block was soon added, Auckland Grammar director of advancement Amanda Stanes explains. “This building had become known as the Taj Mahal, which was a splendid name for a far less prosaic building which really had seen its day,” she says.

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“

The development has already been a success, in that is has created a real drive in the Grammar community for where we want to be in the future and become a springboard for the community to galvanise us into action.

community for where we want to be in the future and become a springboard for the community to galvanise us into action.

“The school is now designing a master plan for the site. We know we will be getting more students in the area with medium to high density housing increasing and, with 2,500 young men here already, it was vital to think about future proofing the school.”

Not only is the new building designed to meet the growing needs of the district, but it has also been designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s student.

- AMANDA STANES , AUCKLAND GRAMMAR DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

The Ministry of Education wants all schools to update their teaching spaces by 2020, with the Government department promoting the “Modern Learning Environment” on its website, with case studies featuring large free-flow areas with moveable furniture, bright colours and lots of technology.

The new classroom block funding project was named the ‘Augusta Project’ after the school’s motto ‘Per Angusta ad Augusta’ which translates to ‘Through difficulties to greatness’ – a name which is very pertinent, Amanda explains.

However, the new building has a more solid name, the Main Block extension.

And, while Auckland Grammar School has stuck to current Ministry of Education guidelines, Amanda says the school has added its own modern touches to the three-storey block such as resource rooms, Wi-Fi, data projectors and ergonomic chairs. “The classrooms have heating and air conditioning, data projectors, touch screen whiteboards – they are far more digitally sound than what we had before.

“The development has already been a success, in that is has created a real drive in the Grammar

“It is the Grammar style of modern learning environment.”

”

Lendich Construction Ltd has been providing civil engineering and construction services for over fifty years to property developers, farmers, construction companies, Councils, and private clients.

Established 1956 186 Fred Taylor Drive, Whenuapai, Auckland, 0654 PH +64 9 416 9700 FAX +64 9 416 3491 www.lendich.co.nz

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32 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Focus | Auckland Grammar School

Plans were on the table for Auckland Grammar’s new 12 block classroom for three years when Tim O’Connor became the school’s eleventh headmaster at the start of Term 4 of 2012.

The new headmaster re-visited plans, re-configuring the space and new plans were finalised.

Watts & Hughes Construction was the main contractor on the $6 million project designed

by Architectus, with the 12 month construction project commencing in April 2014.

The design brief called for 12 classrooms to accommodate class sizes of about 30 that would engage with the existing main building.

As a result, a walkway between the new classroom block and the main building has been designed, reducing the amount of time for students to get to and from class, while keeping them undercover and the building also features a student tuck shop.

Improvements have also been made to classroom design, including a more box-like shape so students are closer to the teacher, enabling them to engage better and giving the teacher increased control over the classroom, while new ergonomically designed Formway furniture ensures student comfort.

The students themselves are also pleased with the new development. Ben Pretty says it’s exciting to be a part of this new and very modern classroom block. “The layout of the new large classrooms is very effective, with students being able to see work on the board at all angles and the amount of glass windows and doors allows for a light and airy space,” he says.

“This new block is very convenient with short travel time between classes and a connecting bridge to the main block. The tuck shop system runs smoothly allowing boys to get in and out quickly.

Harry Webb says the classrooms in the new block are a lot more open than the old ones.

“This makes it a lot easier to remain focused and involved in the lesson, whilst allowing easier interaction with the teacher,” he says.

“In my eyes the new block is fantastic and a great learning environment.”

“The smart board is also useful as it means that if the teacher is using the projector they are not

restricted to sitting behind the computer and can stand in front of the class instead. The new tuck shop system is a lot more efficient meaning you spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying your lunch time. The position of the new block compresses the school means a lot less time is wasted walking between classes.” >

Proud to Support Approachable Innovative Auckland Grammar School Local Watts & Hughes Construction is a multi-disciplined company with a wealth of experience in both the construction and property development sectors.

Watts & Hughes Construction - Auckland Ph: (09) 573-5750 www.whconstruction.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 33

Focus | Auckland Grammar School

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“I congratulate all of those who have contributed to conceiving, designing, funding and building this outstanding new facility,” New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae said when concluding his official opening speech.

“I am certain that the Augusta Block will function well for the students and staff of Auckland Grammar School today and it will add strength to the example this school and its people will continue to make into the future.”

With further development in store for the school moving forward, this is just the beginning, Amanda says. “This really is a way to lead into the next phase of development for the school.

22 Nikau St., Eden Terrace, Auckland

P 0508 625 625 | E info@ocl.net.nz www.ocl.net.nz

“The Augusta Project has become a catalyst for the master plan for future development as we look towards our 150th anniversary in 2019 and has created a real momentum for how the campus is going to look for the young men of the future.” AT Auckland Grammar School 55-87 Mountain Road Epsom Auckland T (09) 623 5400 www.ags.school.nz — Advertising Feature

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Property & Construction | Koia Architects

Designs to last a lifetime “Living in a beautiful country does not require a lot to inspire you,” says Koia Architects founder, Tony Koia.

Ever since he started out in Auckland in 1995, his company has shaped the city’s landscape in housing and corporate buildings, not just through grand design, but by offering the complete architectural package.

“We love to work on all aspects of the design, landscaping, interior and lighting design, materials and the finishes selection of each project we work on. We deliver this with a traditional full service for architectural engagement, which includes all tendering and administration of the building contract, through to completion,” Tony says.

“

Customer testimonial

If we have done our job properly, the house should reflect the owner and their environment.

One thing I have noticed is that our clients rarely sell their homes that we have created.

- TONY KOIA, KOIA ARCHITECTS FOUNDER

”

The award winning company has a small team of seven staff spread out across the office in Auckland and their base in Queenstown, which opened in 2004. Their hard work and focus is concentrated on making a statement with their houses not just for today, but for many years to come.

“For the last eight years, we have become increasingly focused on creating houses that last. We completed a slate roofed house around this time and the life expectancy of slate is 400 years – we think houses should aim for 200 years with minimal maintenance.

“John and I are both really pleased with the house and the whole process has been a pleasure. Thank you for listening to what I had to say and your time in working through all the details with me. I hope that you are as proud of the house as we are. Thank you for what we have created.”

- John and Jennifer, Millbrook House “You have to refine your selection of materials and building details to allow this to be a possibility and we spend a lot of time understanding the science behind varying materials and building systems to try to allow this to occur.

And what about that future? “Our goals as a company are to create better and better homes and other projects. Whether they are large or small, we take a pride in creating a special and unique home.

“If we have done our job properly, the house should reflect the owner and their environment.

One thing I have noticed is that our clients rarely sell their homes that we have created, or they sell their other homes and end up living in

something we have designed. That’s always a great vote of confidence that we enjoy.” AT Koia Architects L1, 8 Beresford St Newton Auckland T (09) 373 2244 E koia@koia.co.nz www.koia.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Proud to be associated with Tony Koia and his team.

“More often than not, these details are hidden below floors and in walls and roofs, and operate without a manual, without the owner even knowing,” says Tony.

Although they always have an eye on the future, it wouldn’t be worth much without honouring their past which has seen the business thrive for 20 years already.

“I am actually really proud of this achievement.

The building profession can be brutal and it takes a lot to manage the ebbs and flows. I think it is also great for the clients that believed in Koia Architects and for which we have completed projects. It repays their faith in some way.”

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PO Box 497 Queenstown www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 35

Property & Construction | Paul Schirnack Decorating

The best in the business ‘Anyone can paint but not everyone can decorate.’

This is the slogan of Paul Schirnack Decorating Ltd and it’s a mantra that’s proving to hold the company in good stead.

“Winning this award shows my potential customers that we are a professional painting company who really are the best in the business.

The painting and decorating company, which has been operating in the greater Auckland area for nearly two decades, has just been named the New Zealand Master Painter of the Year 2015.

• Winner: Residential – Rework Interior – Contemporary

Paul Schirnack Decorating entered the 2015 Master Painters Awards which took place in Wellington in June. Company owner Paul says he put his best work forward from the previous year for the judges to inspect and scrutinise.

He entered half a dozen categories and won five awards.

But the real achievement from the night was when the company took home the overall award as Winner of the New Zealand Master Painter of the Year 2015. Paul says it’s great that his company’s hard work has been recognised and it’s a real honour to receive such a notable award.

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"I have entered the awards over several years and won a number of categories.

It is a sure sign that we have an edge over our competitors.”

Master Painters Awards 2015 • Winner of the New Zealand Master Painter of the Year 2015

• Winner: Residential – Rework Exterior – Contemporary • Winner: Residential – Wallcoverings • Winner: Residential – Rework Interior – Character • Winner: Residential Master Painter of the Year.

Loyalty in numbers And while the Master-Painters Association has only recently recognised the company for its outstanding quality of workmanships Paul’s loyal customers have known about the company’s talent for many years now.

“Ninety five percent of our work comes from repeat business and referrals,” Paul says. And it prides itself on keeping its returning customers extremely happy with both its service and finished product.

With 12 staff on the team Paul says his business is still small enough to care about its individual customers, but technically it has enough staff to get a job finished promptly.

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36 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

The majority of its work comes from the high end residential market. With residential repaints, plus painting of alternations, extensions and new home builds for high end builders dominating the main share of its work.

But commercial and corporate painting is still a substantial part of its work. “We have been the main contractor at a retirement village for quite a few years now doing refurbishment work. We also do regular maintenance for PricewaterhouseCoopers during its Christmas shut down period.”

Quality management system certified Paul Schirnack Decorating is a Quality Management System Certified Contractor.

To qualify for this title, the businesses systems were extensively reviewed and assessed by the New Zealand Master Painters Association.

“We are proud to be certified. It is important that we are carrying out our business in a professional manner and our customers can feel confident that they are dealing with a professional team,” Paul says. AT

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Paul Schirnack Decorating Ltd M 027 275 4319 E paul@psdecorating.co.nz www.psdecorating.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Property & Construction | Mitchell & Stout Architects

Designing places and creative spaces Mitchell and Stout Architects is a multi-award winning architectural practice, with awards stretching back to 1989, the year of the practice’s establishment by David Mitchell and Julie Stout.

During the years their work has encompassed every facet of architectural design from baches and holiday homes to large residential dwellings, from urban planning to educational buildings and from commercial developments to community projects. It is indeed a multidisciplinary firm.

Now the practice has four directors with Julian Mitchell and Ginny Pedlow completing the quartet, all with complementary skills to bring to the design table in a truly collaborative way.

Claire Natusch and Natalee Tan are also crucial members of the team.

revolutionary, developing as it has during more than 30 years.

“Celebrating the materials used in a construction is at the heart of our approach. We don’t have a hierarchy of materials – we will utilise a wide range from concrete and stone to timber and sheet steel. What is critical is letting the materials express themselves in a natural way.”

One recent project undertaken by Mitchell and Stout that epitomises their approach was the Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, along with the refurbishment of the adjacent Lopdell House.

The award winning Lake Pupuke house in Takapuna

Mitchell and Stout recent awards • 2015 – Auckland Architecture Awards, Public Architecture Winner: Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery • 2015 - Auckland Architecture Awards, Heritage Award; Lopdell House Refurbishment

The practice has been kept deliberately small to ensure their work and designs are personalised to each client. “Our aim is to do client-specific and site-specific work,” says Julian Mitchell.

The project was years in the gestation and over two years in the construction, but the completed art gallery building is a striking example of the use of contemporary materials and design techniques.

• 2015 - Auckland Architecture Awards, Residential Award: Lake Pupuke house

“It is important to us to achieve distinctive buildings that are a joy to look at and to live and work in, and that are not overwhelming.

We definitely try to avoid getting caught up in architectural fads and fashions.”

The brief required dealing with a steep hill site and with the requirements for the gallery to fulfil a variety of functions - not only art exhibition space, but also retail and education.

• 2014 - NZIA competition for first NZ Exhibition at Venice Biennale of Architecture.

Indeed Julian says the practice’s architectural style has been evolutionary rather than

“The basic structure is concrete block and prestressed concrete with timber and steel framed walls. The cladding is pre-finished aluminium

• 2014 - Chrystall Excellence Award A+W NZ Awards 2014

panels and we have made as much use of natural light in the building as possible – filtered and reflected of course, so as not to affect art works on the walls.

“This was one of the best projects we have ever worked on. We are simply delighted with the reaction of both the public and of the various exhibiting artists who are using the different areas in the gallery.

“It is fascinating to watch the way artists respond to spaces. They are very flexible – just as we aim to be as architects.” AT

Mitchell & Stout Architects Level 3 35 High Street Auckland Central Auckland T (09) 306 2043 E office@mitchellstout.co.nz www.mitchellstoutarchtects.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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a place that reflects and strengthens the full diversity of cultural identities, interests and potential of the west auckland community

Structural Engineers to the project.

Proud to support Mitchell & Stout Architects.

8B Charlotte Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland | Phone 09 307 2702

We share with the project team a passion for achieving excellence in delivering a valued facility for the community.

Auckland: (09) 309 1074

www.rlb.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 37

Property & Construction | Ward Demolition

Total demolition and recycling solutions

Ward Group has a reputation founded on providing a high-quality service with integrity and honesty at its core. It is a pioneer in deconstruction techniques and is one of the country’s leading demolition businesses.

Huge demolition experience The basis of Ward Group’s work is demolition, which covers everything from the removal of asbestos and contaminated soil, through to the demolition of small houses and large commercial buildings.

Ward Demolition carries out large projects throughout New Zealand, including in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquakes. The largest building it has ever demolished was the Grand Chancellor Hotel in central Christchurch.

The company has a huge knowledge base and high level of expertise in the demolition of every

type of project imaginable. It did Eden Park and Carlaw Park and is about to start work on the 10,000sqm Ford warehouse for the Goodman Group.

>

Ward Demolition is part of the Ward Group of companies, and was the first business to be established by owner Peter Ward in 1987.

Today Peter heads a staff of about 80 across a range of business ventures, including demolition, machinery hire, resource recovery and recycling and salvage.

Ward Demolition carries out large projects throughout New Zealand

>

Pulling down an old building is not as easy it as it sounds, but the team at Ward Demolition Ltd has the depth of experience and machinery to ensure every job is completed safely and on time, with as many materials recycled as possible.

At work at Eden Park

“We’ll be removing some asbestos cladding around the outside first and then we’ll put some big machines through,” Peter says.

Ward Demolition operates a huge fleet of machinery, including about 50 excavators, as well as jaw crushers, loaders and 18 trucks.

Peter says it’s the size of his business and the huge knowledge base of his staff that make Ward Demolition such a success.

“We’ve been around for a fair while and we have a depth of size, as we have so many machines and people. Quite often when you’re on a contract a machine will break down, but we’ve got so much gear and depth that we can just go and get a transporter and bring in another machine.

“When it gets busy we can bring in our own trucks and get it shifted quickly, as a lot of our work is time dependant. We can shift from one tonne to 100 tonne and we can pretty much do it all in house."

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Making IT

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38 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Making IT Easy!

Telephone: 09 826 0841 All hours: 021 673 840 E-Mail: support@altitudeit.co.nz Website: www.altitudeit.co.nz

Property & Construction | Stone Warehouse

Property & Construction | Ward Demolition Comprehensive recycling service

Ward Group is committed to recycling as much material as possible that comes off its demolition sites.

The family business, which includes owner Peter Ward’s son Dolton, operates resource recovery and recycling services, which include the recycling of crushed concrete.

Peter Ward says while finding markets for recycled concrete is hard work, he’s determined to continue offering the service.

Ward Group’s recycling process includes onsite processing of concrete with mobile crushing units. Concrete not crushed onsite is processed at the company’s yard, where steel and rebar are extracted.

The group has the capacity to manage large volumes of waste concrete and can service several construction sites across Auckland at any one time. Ward Group has a dedicated team managing the salvage, sorting and sale of a wide variety of recycled building materials, including native timbers, aluminium joinery, steel, roofing iron, doors and bricks. AT Ward Demolition Ltd 13-17 Miami Parade Penrose Auckland T (09) 622 3111 E demo@ward-demolition.co.nz www.ward-demoltion.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

SAFEWORX keeping

kiwis

safe

The Stone Warehouse has been an industry leader in granite benchtops since 1994, and since then has diversified into engineered stone to provide the perfect finish for kitchens all across the North Island, from Rotorua to Kaitaia.

Supplying only the best quality products, they fabricate granite and quartz (engineered stone) custom-made benchtops that complement each and every kitchen they work with.

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157 Great South Rd. Otahuhu

Contact us now

Their brands of quartz are Caesarstone, Trendstone, Silestone and Eurostone, and they also create vanity tops, fire surrounds and hearths.

Owner Jacquie Turner has built a strong team of 18 staff since they started out, many of whom have been with the company for more than 15 years and their project manager has been with the company from the very first day.

09 276 2200

Dealing with a close knit team such as this translates directly into the excellent work that they produce time and time again.

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Stone Warehouse values its relationship with suppliers just as much as they do with customers, because it means the delivery of

Customer testimonial

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Clark Equipment NZ Ltd is proud to be associated with Ward Demolition

“I want to thank you all at Stone Warehouse for the wonderful experience it has been dealing with you, starting with your professionalism which convinced us we were dealing with the right company, through to your organisation of dates for templating and installation. The early installation took so much pressure off us, it was a huge relief, and to the workmanship of the templater, manufacturers and installation guys. Every one a gem of a job.”

- Sonia, Forrest Hill, Auckland

the best quality goods they can find.

They source granite from all around the world, including places such as Canada, Norway, Tibet, Italy, Angola, Brazil and Africa (just to name a few), and are always actively sourcing granite that can’t be found elsewhere in New Zealand, so they always have that exclusive edge for customers.

Facilities As well as excellent customer service, the company prides itself on being consciously eco-friendly. With one of the first purpose-built manufacturing facilities to keep themselves ‘green’, the company recycles its water and has high quality air ducts in place so the co-joined factory and showroom have clean air at all times.

The showroom is open throughout the week 9am – 5pm and on Saturdays 9am – 3pm, and Stone Warehouse always encourage customers to stop by and talk to a member of the team in person.

Once a colour is chosen and the cabinets are successfully installed, a template of the kitchen is arranged so that fabrication and installation of the benchtops can take place, and this is usually completed within a two week time frame – yet another reason Stone Warehouse is spearheading the industry. AT Stone Warehouse 11 Cowley Place Rosedale, Albany Auckland T (09) 415 0715 E sales@stone.co.nz www.stone.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Proud to work with the Stone Warehouse

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Free concept design and quote Quality Workmanship Guaranteed www.s2fkitchens.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 39

Property & Construction | CS For Doors

Grand entrances New Zealand is known for both its innovations and its innovators, with some going so far as to describe our little corner of the South Pacific as the ‘Silicon Valley of the south’.

It’s the ability to constantly innovate which has seen Kiwi firm CS For Doors grow to become one of Australasia’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of premier cavity sliding doors.

Founded almost three decades ago by husband and wife team Phil and Colleen Kenny in 1986, CS For Doors has grown to become a market leader with an increasingly sought-after range of products spanning the residential and commercial markets.

“The company essentially started with a couple working from their garage, now we have 96 staff across four branches around New Zealand and one in Australia,” CS For Doors marketing manager, Natalie Billingham explains.

“As well as a full suite of products, we provide a free site measurement service and we can work directly with architects and builders to design customised solutions.”

One such solution is CS Cavity Sliders which enhance the aesthetics and practicality of new

homes. With space saving and space creation at the heart of a quality cavity slider, they’re the ideal solution for contemporary open plan layouts and architecturally designed homes.

CS For Doors also provides a braced-wall cavity slider, which strengthens the structure in seismically active regions – another string to the bow of a company known for constantly improving and adding to its product line of more than 50 door systems.

The CS SofStop is another cavity slider unique to CS For Doors and is the perfect complement to any home with soft-close kitchen cabinetry.

Much like soft-close kitchen drawers, the CS SofStop sliding door gradually closes itself when close to shutting, ideal for those with children, or teenagers, in a home.

“The CS SofStop is one of our best selling products,” Natalie says. “With the option of the self-closing model you can give the door a little push behind you and it closes slowly on its own.

“Another hot product is the CL400 Magnetic handle. Available in a range of configurations and colours, it features a patented magnetic latch that ensures a beautifully smooth action on locking options and stops ‘rollback’ on passage doors.”

The extensive research and design team at CS For Doors is constantly innovating to provide New Zealand with the best quality sliding doors.

The company even has a dedicated engineering team, whose sole focus is working to improve current designs and embrace new technology.

40 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | CS For Doors

Ongoing development key to success “We have a full time research and development team located in Auckland whose focus is on developing new products, updating our automated products and carrying out ongoing testing and development,” Natalie says.

“We’re currently working on expanding our automated product lines which have become increasingly popular in modern new builds and commercial buildings, enabling you to push a button to have the door open and close automatically, great for disabled access and high-use openings.”

“

As well as a full suite of products, we provide a free site measurement service and we can work directly with architects and builders to design customised solutions.

”

From automatic pivot entry doors to swipe activated security doors, CS For Doors has a wide range of hi-tech and high-spec door solutions ideal for the commercial market and, with a free onsite consultation, the company really does take the hassle out of improving the performance and layout of an office or building.

- NATALIE BILLINGHAM , CS FOR DOORS MARKETING MANAGER

Cavity sliders are available in a range of styles and finishes and Natalie says the New Yorker aluminium framed door is a popular option for both commercial and residential applications.

“Another key trend we’re seeing is use of the SquareStop Split Jamb with Full-Height and NoClosingJamb details to create the CS SquareFormed cavity slider. This gives you lots of clean lines and with no jambs around the door you don’t know the door is there.”

No man stands alone During the years, CS For Doors has received strong support from a wide range of companies, including Papakura Joinery Ltd, Fletcher Aluminium and Superior Doors.

“We’ve been providing product for a large number of schools and classrooms,” Natalie says.

“As in residential homes, there is a real trend toward open plan classrooms, so we’ve been supplying doors that hide within the wall when classrooms are opened up, but still enable you to close them off when needed.”

The CS For Doors team welcomes challenging projects and aims to tackle the issues that most others place firmly in the ‘no-can-do’ basket. This can-do attitude has seen the company rise to the pinnacle of its chosen industry while remaining the front runner to retain the lion’s share of sliding door contracts in the future.

With CS For Doors holding patents on many of its track systems, the company can assure customers that quality is always their number one priority and with a 10 year guarantee on all CS Cavity Sliders, builders and specifiers know the product won’t let them down in the future.

Visit the website for an extensive list of product lines ideal for the office or the home. AT CS For Doors 6 Marylands Place Middleton Christchurch T (03) 348 6158 0800 SLIDER (0800 754 337) www.csfordoors.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

“It’s available in a range of different colours to suit your home or business and, where timber has the risk of bowing with differing temperatures on either side of the door, the aluminium frame doesn’t have that risk.”

CS For Doors has many niches within its field. Not only does the company provide cavity sliders, it also designs and manufactures purpose built products for the super yacht industry, healthcare market and educational facilities which require a unique attention to detail.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 41

Property & Construction | Pro-Floors

Ensuring you’ve got the right gear for the job Since 1997 Pro-Floors Limited has been supplying the construction and civil works industry with top performing contracting machinery and labouring work all across Auckland.

Starting out in humble beginnings with only three staff under his wing, owner, Wayne Valder, is still very much the hands-on managing director of the company he has built from the ground up. He now boasts 30 professional, full time employees, who collectively run a whole stable of vehicles.

The fleet now numbers in excess of 40 separate pieces of plant and machinery which takes a fair bit of maintenance and care to keep them in prime condition.

The modern fleet includes six wheelers, articulated lorries, truck and trailer units, as well as up to 40 specialised ‘bits of gear’ including diggers, bobcats, crushers, loaders, rollers, a paving machine, bulldozers and even a rock breaker.

The company’s scope of work and versatility has changed during the past 18 years, with the company now able to offer hotmixing, drain laying, concreting and kerbing, as well as bulk excavations in addition to metal supply, truck hire, building site cuts and preparation services previously offered.

The quality of workmanship, strong safety record and reliability help to deliver good work on time and on budget. “We aim to be totally reliable and trustworthy and I firmly believe this has been the key to our success to date and the reason why we win so much repeat business,” explains Wayne.

In fact some of Pro-Floors’ clients have been dealing with Wayne since day one and the close knit family style of business engendered in the company is clearly a big positive, that together with keen and competitive pricing, serves to keep the company well ahead of the competition.

The buoyant New Zealand construction sector, particularly in Auckland, is keeping everyone busy and very much on their toes.

As Wayne never tires of telling his staff, “If we are to continue to be hired by the best commercial construction companies, then we know we must keep the quality of our work high, our equipment in tip top condition and keep delivering our jobs on time.

“Reputation is everything and as the saying goes ‘you are only as good as your last job!’

This is why we are constantly updating, upgrading or replacing our working plant and equipment on a very regular basis.”

Wayne and his team are working hard to maintain their excellent reputation and leading market position.

“When you have a machine running well – smoothly and efficiently – there is no real need to tamper or do too many adjustments.

Pro-Floors would like to thank Allied Petroleum, Warren Fowler Earthmovers Ltd and All Hours Tyre Service Ltd for their ongoing support. AT Pro-Floors Ltd 35 Rangi Road PO Box 9 Takanini, Auckland T (09) 268 7238 E alana@profloors.co.nz www.profloors.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

09 296 6394 | 021 433799 – 24 hours From wheel barrows to trucks. Buses to large earthmoving & quarry tyres. And everything in between. If it’s a tyre, we can do it.

ALL HOURS TYRE SERVICE LTD

With 5 fleet service vehicles on the road, All Hours Tyres covers the greater Auckland regions to accommodate our customer’s needs.

Proudly supporting Pro-Floors

Visit our drive through workshop listed below.

2 MARGARET WILLIAMS DRIVE, HUNUA RD, PAPAKURA, AUCKLAND 2110

Warren Fowler Earthmovers Ltd ● Earthmoving Contractor ● Plant Hire ● Mobile Crushing & Screening ● Metal Supplies ● Roading Contractors Phone: 09 276 7446 or 0800 HARDROCK Fax: 09 276 0546

118 Portage Road, P O Box 22111 Otahuhu, Auckland 1640 | Email: hardrock@titan.co.nz | www.warrenfowler.co.nz 42 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | Waterview Connection Project

Waterview’s $1.4 billion connection Reduced travel time through the Auckland CBD and a direct link between the centre of Auckland city to the airport are just some of the benefits Aucklanders will enjoy thanks to the Waterview Connection Project.

Now, with the project’s construction well underway and tangible progress becoming visible, the benefits of the $1.4 billion project are beginning to feel palpable.

The motorway, formerly known as the SH20 Avondale extension, is one of six projects to complete the Western Ring Route. When completed, it will present an attractive alternative to State Highway 1, which runs through central Auckland and across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The construction through west and central Auckland will connect State Highway 20 in the south at Mt Roskill, to State Highway 16 in the west at Point Chevalier. The project includes the Waterview link, a 5 km long stretch of highway, of which 2.5 km are to be in a twintunnel, with three lanes in each tunnel.

The massive undertaking also includes building the surface connections to the existing motorways, 9 km of new cycleway, new community amenities such as walkways, playgrounds and skateparks, and planting about 150,000 trees and shrubs. The upgraded parks, improved cycleways and walking connections will increase the local community’s liveability and attractiveness.

Benefits for all The Western Ring Route is a road of national significance because of the significant contribution it will make to the future prosperity and the economy of New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing city.

Because of this its completion has been prioritised, with the project due to be completed and the tunnels and interchange opened in early 2017.

Once opened, the two tunnels will supersede the Lyttelton Road Tunnel as New Zealand’s longest road tunnel. By 2026, traffic modelling shows it is predicted to carry 83,000 vehicles a day.

There are two key features to the project: • The Waterview tunnels: twin 2.4 km long tunnels that will each carry three lanes of traffic • The Great North Road Interchange: 4 ramps that total 1.7 km in length to connect the Southwestern and Northwestern motorways (State Highways 20 and 16) immediately north of the tunnels to complete the Western Ring Route.

The motorway provides a resilient and reliable network by reducing motorists’ dependence on State Highway 1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge for business to business trips, access to markets and jobs, and personal travel.

• Take pressure off local roads

The improved network and the added capacity will:

• Provide faster access to Auckland International Airport

• Make travel times shorter and more predictable

• Reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

• Support economic growth by allowing the quicker movement of goods across the city and improve business productivity

• Improve the reliability of bus travel • Provide an alternative route in case of an incident on SH1

AT

To find out more information on the Waterview Connection Project, visit: www.nzta.govt.nz

SPECIALIST INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT FORWARDERS AND LOGISTICS CONSULTANTS WAREHOUSING / DISTRIBUTION CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FACILITIES DOCUMENTATION INTERMODAL TRANSPORT LOGISTIC MANAGEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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INSURANCE POWER GENERATION DRILLING RIGS SHIP CHARTER 4 MANU TAPU DRIVE, AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CALL FREE: 0800 502 888 WWW.FREIGHTRADERS.CO.NZ www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 43

Property & Construction | Dingo Groundworx

Ready for any challenge The story of how Dingo Groundworx got off the ground is a classic case of Kiwi ingenuity.

But the story of how the successful 10 year old Auckland firm became just that, is down to the passion, hard work and determination of the family behind it.

A boat builder by trade with a background in residential building, Cameron Hadley recognised a gap in the market for limited access earthworks. So he purchased a Dingo minidigger and flat deck truck, and set to work.

“I had to shovel the dirt off the back of the truck by hand because I couldn’t afford a tip truck,” he laughs.

It wasn’t long before perseverance paid off and he had saved up for a tip truck. Soon after, his brother Travis came onboard with Cameron purchasing another digger.

Fast forward another year and Cameron’s other poised on the cliff-top at Thorne Bay, between brother Shane, now the operations manager, Milford and Takapuna. joined the pair and Dingo Groundworx progressed Significant renovations on the property saw Dingo from there.

Groundworx employed to provide excavation “Shane likes to tell the story of how he used to works however, with heritage protection status, see me outside shovelling the dirt off the truck by the exterior couldn’t be touched. This required hand at the end of the day, then he became the the company to dismantle their machinery to get one doing it,” Cameron laughs. it inside the building, before reassembling and getting to work.

“We’re one of the largest limited access earthworks firms in Auckland. We do the “The trickier the job the better,” Cameron says. excavation work nobody else wants to do.”

“We thrive on a challenge.”

In 2009, Cameron created sister company Excaveyor. At the time this purpose-built conveyor excavation system was the only one of its kind in the country, offering a way to get landscaping material in and out of properties unable to be accessed by regular means.

Together the two firms carry out a wide range of earthworks, including swimming pool excavations, backfilling behind retaining walls, landscaping projects, post hole boring and basement digouts, including the Merksworth Castle – a distinctive 1920s landmark home,

Today, Dingo Groundworx has a variety of machines available, including a Dingo Mini Digger, 1.5 tonne excavators, three tonne excavators, a Terex Tracked Bobcat and an SVL75 Tracked Bobcat.

There are also several sizes of tip trucks available from 2-5 tonnes and with operators skilled in operating all types of machinery, including diggers up to 20 tonnes; jobs of any size can be accommodated.

Ongoing investment in the fleet has become somewhat of a hallmark for the company, which replaces machinery and equipment every 1-2 years to ensure it stays up to standard. A sixwheeler has recently been purchased for the larger jobs the company is involved in today.

Diesel Delivered To You

For the past 10 years, Dingo Groundworx has been supported by a wide range of loyal companies, including the company’s financial solutions partner DLL, AdvanceQuip, Lowthers Chartered Accountants, Kubota and McFall Fuel.

It’s still family owned and operated and now boasts a team of nine, with Cameron’s wife Rebecca looking after the accounts side of the company or, “all the important stuff”, he says.

Dingo Groundworx has also built a transfer station to screen top soil and recycle it in order to help reduce the amount of fill that goes to land fill - an area the company is looking to develop moving forward. AT Dingo Groundworx 185 Bush Road Rosedale Auckland T 021 476 479 www.dingogroundworx.com www.excaveyor.com — Advertising Feature

When & Where You Need It

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The Swiss Army Knife of Diggers

• Basement Digouts • Swimming Pool Excavations • Post Hole Boring • Site Preparation Before 44 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

After

Call us for a free quote 021 476 479

www.dingogroundworx.co.nz

Property & Construction | North Shore Scaffolding

Helping you to work quickly and safely North Shore Scaffolding (NSS) has been a force in the Auckland construction scene for many years.

Since the company’s establishment in 1981 they have built a strong reputation for their quality systems, professionalism and experience. Scaffolding systems may be the company’s primary focus – after all it is in their name – but the fluctuations of the construction industry have necessitated some diversification.

Cover systems, shrink wrap and propping systems have been added to North Shore Scaffolding’s range of products. The types of scaffolding they use are also not always the conventional tube and clamp, but the superior technology of the German-designed Layher scaffolding systems.

This variety has enabled them to successfully carry out many significant projects, especially in the field of civil engineering.

“We see ourselves as a problem solving company,” says NSS general manager, Clifton Webb. “We thrive on assessing the issues of different sites and making the most challenging tasks appear straightforward.”

NSS work with a range of industries – residential and commercial construction, marine and civil.

In construction the company has the expertise and gear for any job. All their scaffolders have Site Safe passports and the scaffolding crews are led by advanced ticketed scaffolders.

For projects in this field, North Shore Scaffolding can supply standard scaffold solutions, brick layer scaffolds, Acrow props, shore loading, edge protection (including roofers’ handrails), rubbish chutes, stair access towers and scrim netting. The company has also provided scaffolding for literally thousands of Auckland homes, working in particular with Universal Homes.

For marine projects, from racing machines to luxury mega yachts, NSS can supply solutions making boat maintenance and refit much easier.

They are the one stop shop for temporary shrink wrap covers to keep boats protected wherever they may be, and for scaffolding, such as birdcage platforms to access underneath a boat.

No company stands alone The team at North Shore Scaffolding recognise and thank the following companies for their support in the New Zealand market: Tristram European VW, Layher NZ and North Harbour Rentals.

With their work in the civil engineering sphere, NSS specialise in bridge access. They supplied the gear to complete the refit of the Grafton Bridge, they have built numerous scaffolds for State Highway bridging and because of their experience in confined spaces, they have supplied scaffolding for a number of tank farms to allow maintenance.

Working with event organisers is another string to North Shore Scaffolding’s bow.

They can supply and install temporary roofing cover systems for grandstands and stages, as well as lighting towers and speaker towers. They welcome inquires for special events and unique projects. >

255 Bush Road , Albany | www.nhr.co.nz | Phone: 09 415 1955 Proudly supporting North Shore Scaffolding

TRUCK LEASING & TRUCK SALES Servicing customer vehicles 6 days a week It’s simply really. We’re making it easy for our customers.

Cnr of Wairau & Hillside Roads, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland Offering a concierge service, courtesy vehicle, courtesy shuttles and fully trained VW Technicians.

Service & Parts Centre Opening hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5:30pm, Saturday 8:00am – 4:00pm

Find all of our available stock at www.tristrameuropean.co.nz or call us on 09 441 0090

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 45

Property & Construction | North Shore Scaffolding

Systems | Conveyor & Transmission

Keeping production lines moving

The Waterview Connection project is one of the largest and most important civil engineering projects New Zealand has ever seen. When complete, it will complete a motorway circuit around Auckland city which will help overcome traffic congestion and provide a direct link between Auckland airport and the CBD. North Shore Scaffolding has been involved with two elements essential for completion of the tunnel.

First up was design and implementation of an innovative mobile roof that allowed the cutter head of ‘Alice’ (the tunnel boring machine), to be assembled under shelter, but that also allowed critical parts to be craned into position when required. Shrink wrap wouldn’t have worked, so NSS developed something that did.

NSS were also asked to supply 24/7 labour for scaffold requirements during the four months it took to get Alice operational.

“We had upwards of 45 men onsite on any given working day. Our health and safety systems, labour and gear stock management expertise ensured the project always had the men and materials required.” AT North Shore Scaffolding 67 Hillside Road Wairau Valley Auckland T (09) 444 5710 E info@nss.co.nz www.northshorescaffolding.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Starting out in his garage some 26 years ago, Rob Blase has turned his one man operation into a highly successful Auckland business through sheer hard work and determination.

Conveyor & Transmission supply businesses throughout the country with conveyor belts and transmission products for all types of industries. They mainly specialise in the food processing, packaging and horticultural industries, but also service a vast range of sectors from light duty or heavy industrial companies to quarrying and so many more, with additional products available from their one-stop belt shop.

“I think the key to our success is that we stock one of the largest ranges of belting in the country,” says Nick Blase, company systems and operations manager.

“We have approximately 60 different belt types in stock, the majority being PVC and Urethane plus specialty types for specific applications or processing requirements. So what sets us apart is that if a customer has a break down, we generally have a belt to suit their application in stock, we cut and send it out overnight and get them running again.”

Working with customers in all sorts of industries that depend on constant work flow requires great commitment, which is why Conveyor & Transmission started up a 24/7 service. Being available for customers at all

BROOK MTL ELECTRIC MOTORS

times makes sure critical breakdowns are handled as effectively as possible without the stress.

The team of nine are always committed to finding the best solution for customers and pride themselves on their knowledge and experience of all aspects of conveyors. Quality is another thing they hold in high regard and are never shy of going one step further to make sure they deliver the best service possible.

The fact that the company has been on a trajectory of growth since it first started out with Rob so many years ago is a testament to the service they provide, and the reason for their continual growth is probably down to their continual desire to improve.

“We recently purchased a large piece of equipment – a high frequency welding machine.

It’s new, advanced and for the fabrication of belting. We’re currently commissioning it at the moment, so when it’s fully operational it’s going to set us apart from the other companies in New Zealand,” Nick says.

Conveyor & Transmission are always around to help, so if you have any queries about equipment, their services or just need a bit of advice, then get in touch via the number below or send a request on their website. AT Conveyor & Transmission 68A Greenmount Drive East Tamaki Auckland T (09) 274 3500 www.contrans.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

New Zealand’s largest inventory of electric motors

09 271 6063 info@brookmtl.co.nz www.brookmtl.co.nz

Conspec Engineering provide a complete design and manufacturing service of quality stainless steel conveyor systems. Teamed with Conveyor and Transmissions extensive belting solutions guarantees a complete handling system suited to your Industry needs.

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FOOD CONVEYORS AND EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS 46 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Transport & Motoring | Autocare

Autocare - the driving force of New Lynn New Lynn in West Auckland is being transformed into a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolitan centre.

Millions of dollars have been invested in its development and facilities.

Proud to be part of such a go-ahead area is Autocare Ltd in New Lynn, a business located on Rankin Ave, only 50 metres from the New Lynn world class transit interchange.

Autocare director Phil Parker is a total enthusiast about New Lynn. He is the chairman of the local Business Association, one of the most successful associations in Auckland, and his company supports local sports teams and charitable organisations.

It’s that desire to serve the community and customers that is at the heart of the way Autocare operates. Its mission statement is “To continually produce superior and measurable customer service while maintaining the highest

technological skill and mechanical standard of workmanship”.

Honesty is also a key word at Autocare. In the reception area menu boards are displayed with details of services and costs, so customers know exactly what they are paying for.

With a team of six automotive technicians, Autocare can provide total care for customers’ vehicles. The qualified and professional mechanics service cars, vans, light trucks, trailers and petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

They will complete a job while a customer waits, or while they catch up on their shopping. The workshop is just 100 metres from the LynnMall Shopping Centre.

Equipped with a complete range of diagnostic equipment, the mechanics are able to carry out the whole range of servicing and repairs – brakes, clutch, cooling systems, tyres and punctures, auto-electrical, batteries and all other mechanical systems.

“Our industry has changed over the years,” says Phil. “The modern vehicle is a marvel of electronics and engineering. We’re more than mechanics now. We really need to be able to tap into a vehicle’s computer system, diagnose and understand its data and re-programme where necessary.”

Autocare also offer a 24 hour break down service, six days a week and can valet spring clean customers’ cars. Should someone be looking to purchase a vehicle they can arrange for a pre-purchase inspection with Autocare at a very competitive rate.

Autocare is an AA approved repair workshop and their preferred repairer for insurance work, as

“

To continually produce superior and measurable customer service while maintaining the highest technological skill and mechanical standard of workmanship.

Autocare Services • WOF • Servicing – all makes and models • Tyres and punctures • Brakes, clutches and batteries • Transmission services • All mechanical repairs

”

• Auto-electrical • 24 hour towing service/break down service • Courtesy cars available.

well as for other insurance companies, including mechanical warranty companies, offering vehicle insurance, servicing and repairs.

Autocare also service lease vehicles and a number of fleet owners have their entire fleet serviced at Autocare.

Autocare are a member of the Motor Trade Association (MTA).The workshop is open 7.30am – 6.00pm weekdays and 8.00am – 1.00pm on Saturdays. AT

Autocare Ltd 3 Rankin Ave New Lynn Auckland T (09) 827 1411 E auto-care@xtra.co.nz www.auto-care.co.nz

It’s all about the Right Promotion, Right Attitude and Right Service for the Best Result regardless of the Season Dedication and Commitment over the past 21 years helped make Jeannette the Success she is today!

Jeannette Young-Smith Residential Sales Consultant

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— Advertising Feature

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12 Delta Ave, New lynn www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 47

Transport & Motoring | Albany Toyota

The Albany Toyota standard When you’re buying a new or used car, you want to get it right and make sure you’re getting a great deal on a reliable vehicle with the best possible backup service.

working as general manager and daughter Shenae in administration.

“We’re a family business working in an area of the North Shore that’s in real growth mode,” Andrew says. “We’ve been there for nearly 25 years and we’ve built it up from being a small business to a big metro dealership. We employ 70 plus staff and we’ve also just purchased the Warkworth Toyota dealership as well.”

The smaller Warkworth Toyota dealership in Whittaker Street is a great addition to the Albany Toyota business.

Albany Toyota is a family owned dealership celebrating 25 years of operation. Owned

by Andrew and Julie McKenzie, the business truly is a family affair, with their son Haydn

“Our territory now goes from North Shore to the Brynderwyns in the north. It means we have four service centres; in Albany, Warkworth, Browns Bay and Whangaparaoa. Customers

>

Customers of Albany Toyota can sleep easy knowing they’re getting all that and more.

can purchase in Albany or Warkworth and know that they’re covered in that territory for after-sales service.”

Choosing Toyota is choosing quality Albany Toyota offers a complete range of new passenger and commercial Toyotas, as well as its large Signature and used vehicle selection.

The dealership on the corner of Dairy Flat Highway and Gills Road, in Albany Village, offers easy access and plenty of parking. The popular Toyota range includes everything from the new Yaris and Prius hybrid to New Zealand’s biggest selling car ever; the Corolla range.

They also sell recreational vehicles such as the RAV4 and Landcruiser range, as well as the

Albany Toyota operates clean, modern workshops and service facilities in Albany, Whangaparaoa, Browns Bay and Warkworth

48 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Previa people mover and performance and sports models. Andrew says a bonus of company’s location is that customers can enjoy a test drive on wide-open country roads.

Used car showroom Albany Toyota welcomes all trades and stocks a wide range of used cars of all makes and models.

The dealership’s knowledgeable and friendly staff help customers find the used car that is perfect for their lifestyle and budget, with more than 100 quality used vehicles in stock and featuring a dedicated under $10,000 range.

The Signature Class range features a three year, unlimited kilometre, WOF and AA road-service warranty, two years’ free service and a free tank of fuel.

Transport & Motoring | Albany Toyota The dealership’s service and parts division offers: • First class service and attention • Mobile servicing • Courtesy vehicles (booking required) • Windscreen and window replacements • Paint repair, cut and polish and touch-ups • WOF inspections • Accident damage insurance work arranged • Fleet maintenance contracts • Full valet service • Back-up from the nationwide Toyota dealer network of quality service centres • Back-up from the comprehensive Albany Toyota parts department.

Albany Toyota supplies genuine Toyota parts and accessories, which meet the highest Toyota factory standards, as well as parts and accessories for all makes and models.

Albany Toyota on the corner of Dairy Flat Highway and Gills Road, Albany Village

Albany Toyota gains a lot of repeat business from customers who appreciate the top level of aftersales service the dealership offers.

Chief executive Andrew McKenzie says one of Albany Toyota’s big strengths is the large amount of repeat customers it has serviced over the years.

>

“We give a fair deal, we fulfil all our promises and we have the life of the ownership and the

customer in mind. We want our customers to be happy with the service they receive, our parts and accessories, and the finance we offer when they come to purchase.”

It employs highly skilled vehicle engineers and tradespeople, who help ensure hassle-free motoring for all customers.

to delivering superior service and quality, with all Albany Toyota staff priding themselves on being friendly and approachable. AT

Finance and insurance

High quality parts and service

The friendly team at Albany Toyota will help customers tailor a finance package to suit their requirements, allowing them to get into their new vehicle quicker and easier. Toyota Financial Services and Insurance is committed

Albany Toyota Corner Dairy Flat Highway and Gills Road Albany Village T (09) 415 7890 E cars@albany-toyota.co.nz www.albany-toyota.co.nz

Albany Toyota operates clean, modern workshops and service facilities in Albany, Whangaparaoa, Browns Bay and Warkworth, providing an excellent service environment.

— Advertising Feature

The friendly team will help with all your vehicle needs

TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND ADVERTISE! CONTACT US TODAY!

Contact us on: (03) 961 5176

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 49

DIESEL & TURBOCHARGER LTD

Alltech – your first choice for all things turbo and diesel While you might recognise the large blue building on the corner of Archers and Sunnybrae Roads as the old Lollipops building, or even more historically as part of the old Bexley House from its Ministry of Transport days, the Glenfield location is now home to the country’s largest turbo importer and distributor, Alltech Diesel and Turbocharger.

The 1,250 sqm Glenfield building is almost three times the size of the company’s former Wairau Road premises, with the move intended to accommodate business growth now and in the future.

It’s the honesty, quality, value and service which Alltech Diesel and Turbocharger managing director, Lance Anderson says is the hallmark of the company and what’s enabled the local firm to stand the test of time.

This has also helped Alltech put together the best people in the industry to help drive the company forward. People are the most important part off any business today and Lance prides himself on having the best people around him.

Lance began his time in the automotive industry in 1979 with an Automotive Engineering apprenticeship, before shifting to Auckland in 1992, with more than a decade of experience in heavy commercial and marine applications, including several years as workshop foreman.

“We started a long time ago when I shifted from Napier to Auckland,” Lance explains. “I didn’t like a lot of the business ethics I was seeing at the time and I wanted to offer honesty to the industry, backed up with high quality, value and service.

After some less than satisfactory experiences with local spare parts supply, it became apparent to him that the way forward was to start importing and distributing himself and Lance established Alltech in early 1993, initially as a service only business.

“Twenty two years later, four moves to accommodate business growth and a lot of changes throughout the years, and we have got to where we are now.”

Alltech Diesel and Turbocharger was formed to meet the need of the private and commercial diesel engine market and the rapidly expanding turbocharger market. With the precision servicing of passenger vehicle turbochargers in its infancy and the aim of becoming New Zealand’s first choice for turbochargers and parts, Alltech’s business grew rapidly, with the company moving larger premises twice within its first four years of operation.

During the years Lance has continued to progressively add products and services to the company’s offering, introducing new international suppliers into the New Zealand market.

Rapid and reliable supply of spares and service parts is a major key to providing an exceptional level of service and today Alltech Diesel and Turbocharger is New Zealand’s importer and distributors for almost all turbocharger brands.

Alltech offers OEM parts - this is the same product that is fitted to the vehicle by the manufacturer of the car.

Sourcing stock from major international manufacturers, Alltech has inventory in stock for

nearly every make and model available in the New Zealand market and services both the diesel and turbo industries, as well as the automotive public, with wholesale product and a small repair facility for high tech diesel fuel injection repairs product.

The philosophy behind the company has remained the same from the very beginning – to be New Zealand’s leader in industry supply and technical knowledge - a philosophy which has led to the continual investment into equipment, staff and stock not seen elsewhere.

The net result of this investment has been consistently excellent quality of output to the public and industry customers. New technologies have enabled Alltech Diesel and Turbocharger to go beyond the accepted normal levels of quality and raise the standard for the industry as a whole via its work on behalf of other companies.

“We pride ourselves on honesty, quality and the very best service we can give,” Lance says.

“We have an extremely knowledgeable team of 10 here, who have all been with us for a long time.

Our longest standing team member has been here for 15 years and eight of them have been here for more than 10.

“Our new premises not only accommodates our significant growth and allows for future growth, but it’s bigger, better and brighter, and will make a significant difference for us moving forward.

“It’s a fun and exciting industry, even after all these years. It’s ever changing and evolving and nothing could be more satisfying for the team than repairing vehicles for an appreciative customer.”

Agribusiness | Hira Bhana & Co

Working on, with and for the land Businesses are integral to our way of life, sustaining the increasing population with goods and services that make modern civilisation possible. Yet despite their importance, few survive past corporate infancy.

Not only has Pukekohe vegetable grower, packer and distributor Hira Bhana & Co survived the test of time, but almost 60 years on, the company continues to grow and diversify, while those behind its success continue to prove that the family that works together, stays together.

Behind the business Company founder Hira Bhana first arrived in New Zealand at the age of 12 in 1935, before returning to India due to his father’s ill health. Upon his return in 1949, Hira worked in a number of fruit and vegetable retail shops in Otahuhu, Panmure, Mission Bay and Rotorua, before moving to Pukekohe to grow potatoes and onions in partnership with Dahya Ranchhod in 1957.

With the arrival of his wife Bhani and three sons Jeram, Dinesh and Amrut a year later, Hira purchased 10 acres of land which would later become the base of Hira Bhana & Co Ltd, which still operates from this farm today. >

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz    September 2015 | 51

Agribusiness | Hira Bhana & Co

“

There are always shortcuts that can be cut in every business.

Instead of cutting corners, we stick with what we know works well and we plan to leave the land in better condition than when we started.

”

- AMRUT BHANA

Hira passed away at the tender age of 50 and Bhani became the backbone of the company, taking on many decisions moving the business forward.

Today the four brothers Dinesh, Amrut, Bharat and Balrent, along with the third generation family members, continue to manage the business, cropping 1,500 hundred acres of farmland, growing potatoes, onions, carrots, pumpkins, cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce.

From those humble beginnings almost six decades ago, Hira Bhana has become a wholesale supplier to Turners & Growers, Fresh Direct, Market Gardeners, Primor Produce, Foodstuffs (PaknSave, 4 Square and New World supermarkets), and Fruit World, as well as other individual vegetable outlets across New Zealand.

But it doesn’t stop there. Produce is also exported worldwide with onions (marketed through NZ Onion Co) going to Europe, UK, Japan, Asia, USA and Fiji and carrots and potatoes to the Pacific Islands.

“In the early days, we simply grew crops,” Amrut Bhana explains. “We didn’t need to market or brand the product. When they were ready everything was sold in an auction system.”

Every year the company would simply grow the crops it thought it could grow. “Today the industry has changed significantly and it’s about trying to grow what’s dictated by demand,” Amrut says.

The supply and demand model dictates the prices of vegetables on the market today, not unlike the dairy industry and consequently,

when demand outstrips supply, prices go up accordingly or down if oversupplied. “Mother Nature plays a large part in what we do produce, after a long hot summer some of our crops didn’t yield what they were expected to.

But this creates extra demand.

“The cost of production compared to those early years is also a lot higher, in particular the machinery we use that wasn’t available in those early days. The business in the early years required a lot of manual labour and, although we’re getting more throughput, it requires a lot of expensive equipment which needs to be replaced over time.”

So how has Hira Bhana outlasted the years?

“Four of us brothers have been here for a very long time, so we’re able to keep an eye on the operation,” Amrut says.

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The Clasidia was designed for businesses that require a basic and reliable vehicle for their day-to-day operations.

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52 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Agribusiness | Hira Bhana & Co

“

Because we strive to grow the best quality we possibly can, we have some very loyal buyers.

We’re very open to new ideas and if a buyer suggests we try something different, we’re prepared to adapt. And some of our buyers have specifications and we go that extra mile to meet their needs which builds that loyalty.

- AMRUT BHANA

”

“Coupled with that is that we have some exceptional people behind the business, some staff who have been with us in excess of 30 years and that’s extremely important.

“Thirdly, it’s a long term game for us. Because we strive to grow the best quality we possibly can, we have some very loyal buyers. We’re very open to new ideas and if a buyer suggests we try something different, we’re prepared to adapt.

And some of our buyers have specifications and we go that extra mile to meet their needs which builds that loyalty.

“Also we are trying to grow varieties that are great tasting with natural flavour, so the customer wants to return for the same product.”

Sustainability at its core Six decades in business is no fluke and sustainability, best practice, quality assurance and environmental safety are at the very heart of the company.

of health, safety and environmental issues, and ensures best practices are in place for the production, packaging and distribution of New Zealand fresh produce, which involves an annual onsite audit.

The company is also a LEAF Marque farmer.

A UK registered charity, LEAF promotes environmentally responsible farming, with farmers prove their commitment to high standards of food production by adopting the Integrated Farm Management (IFM) programme, which includes standards around the use of pesticides and fertilisers, soil management, recycling waste, conserving energy, improving water efficiency, as well as responsibilities for wildlife on the farm. An annual onsite audit looks at the whole farm operation.

Hira Bhana is also audited by the BRC – British Retail Consortium. A food safety system used to establish good manufacturing practices to produce safe, legal products which meet customer quality levels, the annual audit is carried out for the company’s onion export pack house, in order for onions to be supplied to a particular UK supermarket.

“All three of these audits are closely related,” Amrut says.

“And it really does give the consumer confidence that our produce we grow has been farmed safely, grown ethically and safe for consumption.”

While Hira Bhana takes a conservative approach to spending, the company’s concerns over good, irreplaceable cropping land being taken up with the Auckland housing shortage, that they are purchasing as much Pukekohe land as possible, to safe guard New Zealand’s future vegetable production.

“We have been investing in cropping land when we can. There’s a real panic on with housing and a lot of the land is being snatched up.

However, what’s not commonly known, is that Pukekohe supplies all the early potatoes to the rest of the country in that crucial December to January period,” Amrut says.

“This is because the land around the hills in Pukekohe is frost free. The frosts, while they don’t kill the potato plants, they do burn it and knock them back. People don’t recognise the

value to cropping this land represents. The Auckland council needs to wake up and realise urbanisation of agricultural land is essentially an irreversible process.

“In last 40 years since I used to walk to Pukekohe High School, most of that land which used to be cropping land is now housing. The year 2015 is the international year of soils - a United Nations project and a couple of the main objectives are to: • Raise awareness to decision makers about the importance of our soil to human life • Educate the public about the crucial role soil plays in food security, climate change adaption and mitigation and poverty alleviation • Support effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources.

All these objectives are very dear to our family.”

>

A wide range of sustainable land management techniques ensure their farming is safe, sustainable and soil health is maintained.

“At the end of the day, we want to produce the best quality product we can produce and to make sure it’s done in an environmentally sustainable way,” Amrut explains.

“There are always shortcuts that can be cut in every business. Instead of cutting corners, we stick with what we know works well and we plan to leave the land in better condition than when we started.”

Hira Bhana has been part of the GLOBALGAP for a number of years. A globally recognised programme for farm assurance, GLOBALGAP provides a traceable, accountable system from crop to customer, designed to reduce the risk

0800 TRACTOR www.agrowquip.co.nz Congratulations to Hira Bhana for excellence in business PUKEKOHE (09) 237 0043 Comrie Place, Pukekohe www.aucklandtoday.net.nz September 2015 | 53

Agribusiness | Hira Bhana & Co

Agribusiness | News

It’s time to stop treating soil like dirt An international soil scientist claims that, too often, New Zealanders treat “soil like dirt” when it should be revered because “our lives depend on it”.

In business with the Blues Balrent Bhana, known as Woodsy, is passionate about the versatility and health benefits of potatoes and, as a result, the company now sponsors the Auckland ITM rugby team and the Auckland Blues.

The family firm, Hira Bhana & Co, has grown potatoes for the last 55 years, predominantly for the local market, and Woodsy wanted to promote the health benefits of the vegetable when he discovered, after meeting some of the Blues rugby players, that the team ate potatoes for lunch before every game.

It was a light bulb moment for the Pukekohe company and with a plan in place they approached the Auckland Rugby Union in August last year with the big idea of trying to sponsor the Blues.

When the suggestion was made that they could sponsor the Auckland ITM Cup team, it was too hard to refuse and the team ran out on to the field with the Hira Bhana name on the shoulders of their uniforms.

This year the family has stepped up to their goal of sponsoring the Blues, with the company, featured on electronic signage and a fixed board at the Blues’ home ground of Eden Park and displayed in the team’s printed match books.

Since then the company has handed out 20 tonnes of potatoes to Blues fans at games.

“The whole attitude of our company is not to think of ourselves, but to think of the Blues public,” Woodsy says. “How many games do you go to and get something to bring home?

“It’s not about getting super rich overnight.

We like to share and when we joined the Blues, we didn’t look at it as a business proposition, but as a partnership.” AT Hira Bhana & Co Ltd 71 Tuakau Road Pukekohe Auckland T (09) 238 7242 E info@hirabhana.co.nz www.hirabhana.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Industrial Commercial Domestic

Certus Insurance Brokers (NZ) Limited Proudly supporting Hira Bhana Mark Brooke-Cowden

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‘Former AllBlack’

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Professional House, 16-18 Seddon St, Pukekohe 2120 Auckland PO Box 672, Pukekohe 2340 Auckland Tel: 09 238 2222 | Fax: 09 238 2262 Mob: 027 274 2469 | Email: mark@certusnz.co.nz

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54 | September 2015 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Dr John Baker says human life exists because of soil, yet all that most people do is walk on it, dirty their shoes or dig it up and put buildings and roads on it.

“Soil is a living entity. It provides us with up to 90 percent of our food. There are more living organisms in a cupful of healthy soil than people on the planet,” he says.

Dr Baker says alarming figures provided by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the UK Farmers Weekly suggest that the quality of soil is rapidly diminishing.

FAO predicts the world, on average, has just 60 more years of growing crops left, while the Farmers Weekly claims that only 100 harvests remain in the UK. Dr Baker says New Zealand’s rotation of arable crops and pasture land gives us more time, but many arable farmers, both here and around the world, are still unknowingly but progressively destroying the soils.

“Eventually crop yields will decline to the point where the world’s ability to feed its ever increasing population will be compromised,” he says. “Crunch point is expected to be about 2050, by which time there’ll be famine in some developing countries.”

Dr Baker’s comments are in line with the US Senate, the FAO and he’s twice been nominated for the World Food Prize. However, when he took his case to parliament’s Primary Production Committee this year, he was told it didn’t relate to any items of business currently being considered by the committee.

“

Soil is a living entity.

It provides us with up to 90 percent of our food.

There are more living organisms in a cupful of healthy soil than people on the planet

”

healthy soil, it oxidises carbon that’s already in the soil and releases it as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to crop failure and soil erosion.

Dr Baker, who has a Ph.D in agricultural engineering from Massey University, has long advocated the use of low disturbance, no-tillage.

The process, which penetrates through crop residue or vegetation on top of the soil and sows seed and fertiliser in separate bands beneath it, causes minimal disturbance to the soil, traps the humidity, preserves the organisms and soil life, largely prevents carbon from escaping and increases yields.

Dr Baker’s own Cross-Slot no-tillage drills are sold in 18 countries and used extensively in the US and Canadian plains, in Australia and the UK.

He says because soil isn’t sexy, is not on our radar and is metaphorically beneath us, is taken for granted by many farmers and ignored altogether by politicians and city dwellers.

“The irony is that New Zealand has the best technology for rebuilding soil health, yet we’re falling further and further behind the rest of the world, where the use of ploughing is declining in favour of low disturbance no-tillage machines.

“On the other hand there are notable farmers here who value their soil and have stopped ploughing it. Instead they use low disturbance, no tillage to establish crops and pastures and, in the process, are rebuilding their soil organic matter levels and increasing yields,” he says.

“The UN General Assembly has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils. If we stopped being complacent we could lead the world in conservation agriculture, but it requires recognition and an innovative approach from our politicians before it’s too late.

Ploughing kills off earthworms and microorganisms which are an integral element of

“The clock is ticking on how many harvests New Zealand has left.” AT

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